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LIVING 



R A T K S 



IN 



AMERICA. 



DY 



E. T. . AIArJOON, 



AUTHOR OF " PKGVKRBS FOR T1?K PKOPLE," " ORATORS OF THE 
AMERICAN RKVOTJ'TION," SfC. 




NEW YORK: 9 
BAKER AND SCRIBNER. 

145 NASSAU STRKET AND 30 PAPK HOW. 

1849. 



W .. 3'?'.' 



( 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by 

BAKER & SCRIBNER, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 

District of New York. 



C. W. BENEDICT, Stereotyper, 

201 William street, cor. of Frankfort. 



TO 

THE YOUNG MEN OF UI E R I C A , 



HEIRS OF THK 



RICHEST DEPARTED WORTH, 



AND 

EMULATORS OF THE GRANDEST LIVING MERIT, 

THIS WORK 
IS FRATERNALLY INSCRIBED. 



LIST OF PLATES 



FACI^•<i 

I. Daniel Wehster, . . .... title 

IL Henry Clay, 117 

TIL John C. Calhoun, 182 

IV. Lewis Cass, 271 

V. Thomas H. Benton, 302 

VT. Thomas Corwin, 408 



I 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER r. 
DANIEL WEBSTER, 

THE LOGICIAN. 

n. 

EDWARD EVERETT, 

THE RHETORICIAN. 
III. 

HENRY CLAY, 

THE POLITICIAN. 

fV. 

JOHN C. CALHOUN, 

THE METAPHYSICIAN. 

V. 

GEORGE McDUFFIE, 

THE IMPETUOUS. 

VL 

LEWIS CASS, 

THE COURTKOira. 



VI CONTENTS. 

VII. 



THOMAS H. BENTON, 

THE MAGISTERIAL. 

% 

VIII. 
WILLIAM C. PRESTON, 

THE INSPIRED DECLAIMER. 

IX. 

THOMAS COR WIN, 

THE NATURAL ORATOR. 



PREFACE. 



On last September was published the "Orators op 
TUE AxMERicAN REVOLUTION." Very kindly has that 
book been received in this country and in England. In 
accordance with the intimation given in the preface 
to that work, the present publication is made to the 
world with the hope that, like its predecessor, it may be 
deemed not altogether unworthy of discriminating scru- 
tiny and generous regard. 

Of the former volume, some have said that it would 
be improved if more copious extracts from the respective 
orators accompanied the author's analytical remarks. 
At the same time these critics have signified their doubts 
as to the possibility of procuring many authentic and 
characteristic specimens from some of the earliest and 
most efficient patriots of our land. Those doubts would 
deepen into despair, should the enthusiastic gentlemen 
referred to attempt to find what all would indeed be glad 



Vlll PREFACE. 

to read. But, unfortunately, we have only here and 
there a torso to remind us of the consummate excellence 
long since mutilated by revolutions and wasted by time. 

In the present instance, however, there is no such lack 
of well-authenticated materials. The chief difficulty 
lies in making a judicious selection therefrom, samples 
the most characteristic of each master, and calculated 
to exemplify in the most striking manner the peculiar 
qualities of each one's eloquence. The author may 
have failed in this respect, as in other important partic- 
ulars ; but, as he wished to succeed by doing justice to 
the subject every way, he has spared no pains. 

The reader will understand that the production before 
him is not designed to be a book of examples merely, or 
of precepts alone, but rather of both combined. Taken 
with the volume referred to above, it is believed that we 
have arranged a complete circle of oratorical models, 
each one in his own individuality standing for a class, 
nearly approximating perfection of its kind, and in the 
aggregate presenting an array of exalted worthies whom 
the best talents would do well to emulate, and whom the 
loftiest genius can only by the most strenuous efforts 
hope to excel. 

It is perhaps unnecessary to add that it has been the 
purpose of the author to maintain the strictest impar- 



PREFACE. IX 

• 

tiality in portraying the distinguished personages in this 
work, in all of whom he recognizes much to admire. 
If in any instance he has been indiscreet or unjust in 
what he has presumed to write, he begs pardon of those 
who may conceive themselves wronged. He believes, 
however, that a delicate regard to private feelings and 
personal worth will be found pervading every succeed- 
ing page. 

In dedicating this work to the Young Men of America, 
the author would remind them of Cicero's beautiful 
exhortation to Brutus, after the death of Hortensius : 
" As you now seem to have been left the sole guardian 
of an orphan eloquence, let me conjure you to cherish 
her with a generous fidelity : discourage the addresses 
of her worthless and impertinent suitors: preserve her 
pure and unblemished in all her virgin charms; and 
secure her, to the utmost of your ability, from the law- 
less violence of every ruffian." 

E. L. M. 

Cincinnati, Feb. 22, 1849. 



"X. 



CHAPTER I. 



DANIEL WEBSTER, 

THE LOGICIAN. 

All honor to " The Old Granite State !" The con- 
tracted and tempestuous territory of New Hampshire 
has given birth to as much refined genius and effective 
talent, perhaps, as any State on our continent. Nearly 
all the heroism, moral excellence, and ennobling litera- 
ture of the world, has been produced by those who, in 
infancy and youth were fostered by the inspiration of 
exalted regions, where the turf is covered with a rude 
beauty, rocks and wilderness are piled in bold and inimi- 
table shapes of savage grandeur, tinged with the hues 
of untold centuries, and over which awe-inspiring storms 
often sweep with thunders in their train. This is the influ- 
ence which more than half created the Shakspeares, 
Miltons, Spencers, Words worths, Scotts, Coleridges, 
Shelleys, Irvings, Coopers, Bryants, and Websters of the 
world ; and without much personal acquaintance with 
such scenes it is impossible for a reader to comprehend 
their highest individuality of character so as fully to 
relish the best qualities of their works. 

In the present discussion, we propose to consider the 
1 



2 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

leading circumstances of Daniel Webster's youth ; trace 
the progress of his preparatory discipline ; sketch his 
professional career; and portray the chief features of 
his eloquence. 

In the first place, we remark that there is in the ele- 
ments of our humanity a perpetual sympathy with the 
accompaniments of its first development; the mind and 
deeds of strongly-marked individuals ever assimilate 
with the nature of their parent soil, and the impressions 
thereon first received. This rule is strikingly exempli- 
fied in the life and character of Mr. Webster. He was 
born in Salisbury, near the "White Hills" of New 
Hampshire, at the source of the river Merrimack, in 
1782. His father, who was a farmer, served both in the 
old French war, and in the War of the Revolution. A 
company composed mostly of his neighbors and friends 
was under his command in the battle of Bennington, 
at White Plains, and at West Point, when Arnold's 
treason was discovered. He died about the year 1806, 
having worthily filled several public offices, and, among 
others, that of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, for 
the State. 

Salisbury, to this day, is a retired, though flourishing 
town, but at the time its distinguished son appeared, the 
smoke of its few cabins went up amidst the rugged and 
lonely wilderness of the North. To describe the tempe- 
rature of the mountainous region of his advent, it is 
fitting that we should employ the language of Milton in 
his " Moscova." Says he: "The north parts of this 
country are so barren, that the inhabitants fetch their 
corn a thousand miles, and so cold in winter, that the 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 3 

very sap of their wood-fuel burning on the fire freezes at 
the brand's end where it drops. The mariners which 
were left on ship-board in the first English voyage 
thither, in going up only from the cabins to the hatches, 
had their breath so congealed by the cold, that they fell 
down as it were stifled." 

The best commentary to the genius of a people is a 
visit to the scenery encompassed by which they are 
born and trained. For instance, the mighty gloom of 
the Hartz Mountains, in Germany ; the robber castles 
towering over the Rhine ; the impressive remains of 
antique power scattered profusely over plain, hill, and 
forest ; the thousand commingled associations rife in 
every scene ; the imperial Roman, the furious Goth, the 
graceful cavaliers of feudal times, and the thrilling con- 
ceptions of an ideal world long anterior to them all, have 
alike their record and impulse to the student pilgrim, 
wandering, or at rest, and stamp their indelible features 
on all the youth of the land. 

The tendency of wild, broken districts, darkened by 
mountains and savage forests, to raise in the mind those 
ideas of solemn, preternatural awe, which are the stamina 
of the most vigorous eloquence, and the adornment of the 
best poetry, has been noticed from the earliest ages. 
*' Where is a lofty, and deeply-shaded grove," writes 
Seneca in one of his epistles, " filled with venerable trees, 
whose interlacing boughs shut out the face of heaven, the 
grandeur of the wood, the silence of the place, the shade 
so dense and uniform, infuse into the breast the notion 
of a divinity ;" and thus the ancients, struck with the 
living magnificence of nature, which they could not 



4 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

understand, peopled each grove, fountain, or grotto, with 
some local genius, or god. We shall refer more fully to 
this point, when we come to speak of the preparatory 
discipline which fitted Mr. Webster for eflfective public 
life. At present we only glance at the circumstances 
attending his birth which were calculated nobly to im- 
bue his character and develop its worth. He arose 
where the two great elements of the universe, beauty 
and sublimity, are most palpably revealed in the Swit- 
zerland of America. It was fitting that our greatest 
statesman should there meet his first struggles, and learn 
his first lore in the home of virtuous industry, surrounded 
by scenery so grand. God made the human soul illus- 
trious, and designed it for exalted pursuits and a glorious 
destiny. To expand our finite faculties, and afford them 
a culture both profound and elevating, Nature is spread 
around us, with all its stupendous proportions, and 
Divine Revelation speaks to us of an eternal augmenta- 
tion of knowledge hereafter, for weal or woe. Above, 
beneath, and around us, open the avenues of infinite pro- 
gression, through which we must forever advance without 
pause, and expand in capacity without limit. Here, on 
this dim arena of earth, an immortal essence throbs at our 
heart in harmony with the infinite and eternal. The 
day-star of thought arises on the soul, and, with our first 
rational exercise, begins an existence which may expe- 
rience many vicissitudes, may pass through many tran- 
sitions, but can never terminate. The soul, vivified 
with power to think, will outlive the universe which 
feeds its thought, and will be still practising its juvenile 
excursions at the mere outset of its opening career, 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 5 

while suns and systems, shorn of their glories, shall sink, 
in shattered ruins, to the caverns of eternal oblivion. 
But the soul of man, 

" Vital in every part, 
Cannot, but by annihilation, die." 

Its two great faculties, correspondent to the two great 
natural elements mentioned above — the capacity to 
perceiv'e the beautiful, and feel the sublime — are at once 
the products and proofs of our immortality. They in- 
dicate endowments which it is bliss to improve, and a 
destinv which it will be fearful indeed to neglect. 

Dr. Clarke thought that the lofty genius of Alexan- 
der was nourished by the majestic presence of Mount 
Olympus, under the shadow of which he may be said 
to have been born and bred. If grand natural scenery 
tends permanently to affect the character of those 
cradled on its bosom, we need not wonder that New 
Hampshire is the nursery of patriotism the most firm, 
and eloquence the most sublime. Elastic as the air 
they breathe, free and joyous as the torrents that dash 
through their rural possessions, strong as the granite 
hills from the scanty soil of which they wring a hardy 
livelihood, her enterprising sons, noble and high-minded 
by natural endowment, are like the glorious regions of 
rugged adventure they love to occupy. This is an uni- 
veral rule. The Foulahs dwelling on the high Alps of 
Africa, are as superior to the tribes living beneath, as 
the natives of Cashmere are above the Hindoos, or as 
the Tyrolese are nobler than the Arab race. The cha- 
racter of individuals and of nations is in a great mea- 



6 LINING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

sure influenced by their local position, circumstances of 
climate and education, popular traditions, and the 
scenery in the midst of which they arise. Popular 
manners and mental characteristics harmonize with the 
external objects with which they are surrounded. The 
transition from the monotonous plains of Lombardy to 
the bold precipices of Switzerland is, in physical nature, 
exactly like that, in moral character, from the crouching 
and squalid appearance of the brutalized peasant, to the 
independent air and indomitable energy of the free-born 
and intelligent mountaineer. The athletic form and 
fearless eye of the latter bespeak the freedom he has won 
to perpetuate and enjoy, the invigorating elements he 
bufl^ets in hardy toil, and the- daring aspirations he is 
fearless and fervid to indulge. 

We proceed, secondly, to trace the youthful discipline 
which prepared Mr. Webster for the functions of public 
life. In the wild and uncultivated region where he was 
born, and in that age of savage warfare, it cannot be 
supposed that many facilities existed for procuring a re- 
fined education. But, ever since the first free school 
was established on the wilderness-covered peninsula of 
Boston, in 1636, New England schoolmasters have 
everywhere kept pace with the woodman in pioneering 
the progress of civilized life. Fortunately, the school 
found Mr. Webster in the wilderness, elicited his intel- 
lectual powers, and gave direction to his splendid career. 
Had it not been for the wise policy of our fathers, in 
opening free instruction to all classes on their domain, 
this master-mind of New England would probably have 
lain dormant and unknown to the present hour. This 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 



fact he seems himself ever to have felt, as we may infer 
from the remarks which, in the maturity of his greatness, 
he made in the Convention of Massachusetts, when, in 
reference to popular education, he said : — 

" In this particular, we may be allowed to claim a 
merit of a very high and peculiar character. This 
commonwealth, with other of the New England States, 
early adopted, and has constantly maintained, the prin- 
ciple, that it is the undoubted right, and the bounden 
duty of government, to provide for the instruction of all 
youth. That which is elsewhere left to chance, or to 
charity, we secure by law. For the purpose of public 
instruction, we hold every man subject to taxation, in 
proportion to his property, and we look not to the ques- 
tion, whether he, himself, have, or have not children to 
be benefitted by the education for which he pays. We 
regard it as a wise and liberal system of police, by which 
property, and life, and the peace of society are secured. 
We seek to prevent, in some measure, the extension of 
the penal code, by inspiring a salutary and conservative 
principle of virtue, and of knowledge, in an early age. 
We hope to excite a feeling of respectability, and a 
sense of character, by enlarging the capacity, and in- 
creasing the sphere of intellectual enjoyment. By 
general instruction, we seek, as far as possible, to purify 
the whole moral atmosphere ; to keep good sentiments 
uppermost, and to turn the strong current of feeling and 
opinion, as well as the censures of the law, and the 
denunciations of religion against immorality and crime. 
We hope for a security beyond the law, and above the 
law, in the prevalence of enlightened and well-prin- 



8 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

cipled moral sentiment. We hope to continue and to 
prolong the time, when, in the villages and farm-houses 
of New England, there may be undisturbed sleep, 
within unbarred doors. And knowing that our govern- 
ment rests directly on the public will, that we may pre- 
serve it, we endeavor to give a safe and proper direction 
to that pubhc will. We do not, indeed, expect all men 
to be philosophers, or statesmen ; but w^e confidently 
trust, and our expectation of the duration of our system 
of government rests on that trust, that by the diffusion 
of general knowledge, and good and virtuous sentiments, 
the political fabric may be secure, as well against open 
violence and overthrow, as against the slow but sure 
undermining of licentiousness." 

"I rejoice, Sir, that every man in this community 
may call all property his own, so far as he has occasion 
for it, to furnish for himself and his children the bless- 
ings of religious instruction, and the elements of know- 
ledge. This celestial and this earthly light he is entitled 
to by the fundamental laws. It is every poor man's 
undoubted birth-right, it is the great blessing which this 
Constitution has secured to him, it is his solace in life, 
and it may well be his consolation in death, that his 
country stands pledged, by the faith which it has 
plighted to all its citizens, to protect his children from 
ignorance, barbarism, and vice." 

When sixteen years old, after a very imperfect prepa- 
ration, he entered Dartmouth College, and graduated 
there in 1801. The industry of his pursuits, and the 
tokens he gave of coming fame, we shall notice here- 
after. 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 9 

Mr. Webster finished the study of his profession in 
Boston, and was there admitted to the bar in 1805. 
Mr. Gore, in whose office he had read law, ven- 
tured, on presenting him, to make a prediction to the 
court respecting his pupil's future eminence, which, san- 
guine as it was, all the world knows has been more than 
fulfilled. His first practice in his profession was in 
Boscawen, a small village near the place of his birth ; 
but in 1807, he removed to Portsmouth, where he strug- 
gled for some time, was finally burned out, and moved 
to Boston, with the hope of bettering his fortunes. 

Up to this period, his perpetual strife with penury, 
obscurity, and misfortune, was no holiday work. Let us 
inquire into the efiects produced by severe and pro- 
tracted discipline upon his mental character and public 
influence. The circumstances of his family compelled 
him to rely on his own exertions mainly for support. 
The labors he performed, and the sacrifices to which he 
submitted, for the sake of his own and a brother's^edu- 
cation, are said to be among the most remarkable 
achievements of even his remarkable life. It would 
seem as if he was determined to act for himself, as he 
advised the government to act in reference to the war 
of 1812; "if need be, to accompany your own Jlag 
throughout the world, with the protection of your own 
cannon.''^ 

The first thing to be remarked under this head, is, 
that as a student, Mr. Webster was exceedingly dili- 
gent. One of his classmates has attested with the live- 
liest interest to the generous and magnanimous spirit he 
showed among his early competitors, in the midst of 
1* 



10 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

whom, he at the outset manifested aspirations entirely 
beyond his condition, and which soon enabled him to 
leave all rivalship far in his rear. He possessed too 
much native force to rely implicitly on any master, but 
at the same time profited by all the resources the most 
diligent study could command, and wrought them into 
his own type of excellence, as Michael Angelo broke 
the marble with his chisel, and thence elicited the ideal 
colossus first projected within his own soul. Said that 
great sculptor to a promising pupil, " Learn to sketch 
before you attempt to finish." This was Webster's 
practice. He incessantly cultivated the habit of distinct 
conception, and clearly defined thought in diversified 
composition. The greatest faculties are much more 
freqently evaporated in indolence than in exertion ; 
while it is the latter only that confers true happiness, 
and guarantees permanent success. The luxury which 
young genius enjoys in contemplating its own outlines 
vigcfi^ously conceived, creates the strongest passion for 
elaborated execution, and prompts to the most untiring 
efforts after a graceful finish of its own magnificent 
plans. 

Another important matter to mention under this head 
is, that Mr. Webster has always labored to attain a 
manly, as well as a mental education. Milton said : " I 
call a complete and generous education that which fits 
a man to perform justly, skillfully, and magnanimously, 
all the offices, both private and public, of peace and 
war." This is comprehensive, and as a general defini- 
tion, is as good as any that can be given. 

To educate is to develop ; not to make one man all 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 11 

Latin, another all mathematics ; it is to unfold a man 
indeed, himself all developed. A pupil is educated 
when he is made a hero in his own individuality; a soul 
powerful in acts, fruitful in grand results ; an adult in 
intellect, a rational creature well trained, who will, who 
can, who does. 

One of the renowned philosophers of antiquity beau- 
tifully said of the intellectual faculties, "I call them not 
mine but me. It is these which make the man ; which 
are the man." Now, that system of education which 
most effectually reaches the latent powers of mankind, 
and brings them out in vigorous discipline, is the most 
manly and tlie best. Men are valuable, not in propor- 
tion to what they know, but to what they can do. 
Every youth has a can do in him. It is the office of 
education to reach that, and impart to it the potency of 
practical exercise. The versatile pen, the delicate pen- 
cil, the creative chisel, and the eloquent tongue seem 
wonderful to one contemplating their facility and power. 
But everything about them is perfectly simple and easy 
to him who possesses and has cultivated his own can do. 

The process by which an efficient education is attain- 
ed, is not the tame passivity of the pupil to pedantic 
dogmatizings. " How many young men," said Cole- 
ridge, " are anxiously and expensively be-schoolmas- 
tered, be-tutored, be-lectured, anything but educated ; 
who have received arms and amunition, instead of skill, 
strength, and courage ; varnished rather than polished ; 
perilously over-civilized, and most pitiably uncultivated. 
And all from inattention to the method dictated by na- 
ture herself, to the simple truth, that as the forms of all 



12 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

organized existence, so must all true and living know- 
ledge, proceed from within ; that it may be trained, sup- 
ported, fed, excited, but can never be infused nor im- 
pressed." 

This is a luminous statement of what we should 
never forget. We are not to shape the mind by external 
pressure, paint it over with artificial hues, or mechanize 
its powers ; but to start its germs by genial teaching, 
and prompt its natural and majestic growth from the 
centre outward, as the acorn expands into an oak. The 
main thing is to awaken the principle and method of 
self-development, not so much by conveying information 
into the mind as to invigorate in it the power of send- 
ing thought out. The human soul is not a mere depot, 
a passive receptacle for all sorts of trumpery that may 
therein be stowed by the arbitrary will of some mental 
baggage-master; but it is a living and self-producing 
agent, which is to be carefully placed in such relations 
to appropriate aliment, as to excite the latent, original 
power that craves only such knowledge as it can appro- 
priate to itself, and can re-produce in shapes and excel- 
lence all its own. Now to attain this end, due attention 
must be paid to our physical, mental, and moral culture. 

First of all, good heed must be given to the education 
of the body ; a kind of cultivation as imperious as any 
other, since the body is as susceptible of. improvement 
as the mind. Our person, with all its complicated and 
diversified faculties, physical and mental, is an unit, and 
does not admit of being developed in fragments. Man 
must grow up harmoniously, if he would rise to useful- 
ness, with simultaneous expansion in trunk, branch and 



DANIEL WEBSTER, 13 

foliage, as grows a tree ; the sap of immortal energy 
must circulate without hindrance in every fibre, matur- 
ing fruits perennial and divine. 

Two laws are manifest in the constitution of our na- 
ture, a due regard to which cannot but conduce to our 
welfare and elevate our conceptions of the Supreme 
Being. In the first place, in proportion as the physical 
nature of a man is healthfully developed by suitable dis- 
cipline, winning the greatest vigor of limb, and the great- 
est acuteness of sense, he will derive important aids to 
the intellect and moral powers from the perfections of 
his outward frame. Moreover, by a delightful re-action, 
the mind, in proportion as it is invigorated and beauti- 
fied, gives strength and elegance to the body, and en- 
larges the sphere of action and enjoyment. These laws 
have been recoo;nized and observed bv the best educa- 
tors of the world. At Athens, the gymnasia became 
temples of the Graces. They were not merely places 
of exercise for the young, but drew to their halls, porti- 
coes, baths, and groves, the most distinguished votaries 
of every art and science. The scenes of this kind most 
celebrated were the Academy where Plato taught, the 
Lyceum where Aristotle lectured, and the Kynosargy. 
In these the refined Greek could gratify his fondness for 
the beautiful, by the sight of the finest figures, in the 
prime of youth, exercising amidst objects and associa- 
tions of the greatest elegance. Surrounded on every 
hand by the combined charms of nature and art, the 
young men were seen exliilarated with athletic sports, 
and the old imparting wisdom in the presence of the 
most splendid ideal forms. Then and there physical 



14 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

education began with life and constantly augmented its 
force. Every festival of childhood w^as made enchant- 
ing with flowers and music ; the barge, as it was pushed 
in boyish sport on the lake, was crowded with garlands ; 
the oars were moved to the sound of " sweet recorders," 
and the patriotic mother at home sang an inspiring lul- 
laby, as she rocked her infant to sleep in the broad shield 
of its father. There were wrestlings in the open palaes- 
tra, as well as races and heroic games ; there were gay 
revels on the mountain sides, and moonlight dances in 
the groves. 

The field of Olympia was to the Greeks the most sa- 
cred enclosure of the gods. The games thereon prac- 
ticed, among other uses, promoted manly education, by 
teaching that the body has its honors as well as the in- 
tellect. They felt that vast importance belongs to phy- 
sical agility and strength, not only that the mind may be 
thus aided in energetic action, but that a firm basis 
be laid in a sound body for the exercise of manly vir- 
tues. Without physical vigor, the feeble flickerings of 
the mind are only " a gilded halo hovering round 
decay." 

The national games described in the twenty-fourth 
book of the Iliad, the eighth of the Odyssey, and by Virgil 
in the fifth book of the ^neid, all relate to important 
elements in, a manly education. Those ancient festi- 
vals had the finest influence upon the inhabitants of the 
metropolis, and upon those who dwelt the most remote. 
Every pilgrim through such lands, to such shrines, be- 
came Briareus-handed and Argus-eyed : the beautiful 
scenes, full , of patriotic and refined associations which 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 15 

everywhere arrested his attention, gave him the travel- 
ler's " thirsty eye," filled his mind with thrilling reminis- 
cences, and caused him to return to his home sflowins: 
with brilliant descriptions and burdened with exalted 
thoughts. It was thus that the youthful Greek mingled 
with his studies pedestrian exercise and acute observa- 
tion, formed his body to fatigue, while he stored his 
mind with lofty ideas, and became equally skilled in 
handling a sword, building a temple, or subduing a 
horse. 

In the festival of the Panathensea, as the name im- 
ports, all the people of Attica engaged in the celebration, 
wearing their chaplets of flowers. The sports began 
early in the morning, with races on the banks of the II- 
lissus, in which the sons of the most distinguished citi- 
zens contended for the palm. Next came the wrestling 
and gymnastic contests in the Stadium, succeeded by 
still more refined competitions in the Odeum, where the 
most exquisite musicians executed rival pieces on the 
flute (jv cithara, while otliers sang and accompanied their 
voices with the sweetest instruments. The theme present- 
ed to the competitors was the eulogy of Hermodius, Aristo- 
geiton, and Thrasybulus, who had rescued the republic 
from the yoke of tyranny. Thus the popular pastimes 
of the Athenians tended to commemorate the patriots 
who had served their country, as well as to excite the 
spectators to an emulation of their virtues. Painters 
exhibited the fruits of their skill ; sculptors adorned the 
road-side, the groves, and the temples of the gods ; poets 
contended for the dramatic prize, each being allowed to 



16 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

produce four pieces ; and the eloquence of history fired 
with rapture thousands of exulting hearts. 

The procession to the temple of Pythian Apollo, which 
closed the day with religious rites, was composed of dif- 
ferent classes of citizens, adorned with garlands, among 
whom were seen old men of majestic mien, bearing 
branches of olive ; others of middle age, armed with 
lances and bucklers as if ready to engage in war ; 
youths, who sang hymns in honor of Minerva ; beauti- 
ful boys, clad in a graceful tunic ; and lastly girls, se- 
lected from the first families in Athens, attracting every 
eye by their unequalled charms. 

At night there was a torch-race of the most agile 
youth, stationed at equal distances, the first of whom, on 
a signal given by the shout of the multitude, lighted his 
flambeau at the altar of Prometheus, and at the top of his 
speed handed it to the second, who trasmitted it in the 
same manner to the third, and so on in rapid succession 
to the last. He who sufl^ered his torch to be extinguished 
w^as excluded from the lists, and they who slackened in 
their pace were exposed to the railleries and blows of 
the populace. It was necessary to pass through all the 
stations with success, in order to gain the prize. How 
hard it is to over-estimate the amount of vigor, bodily 
and mental, which was won from such chaste and in- 
epiring recreations ! 
-y.^ The ludicrous remark of Frederick the Great, that 
man " seems more adapted by nature for a postillion 
than a philosopher," is not without foundation ; but there 
is no necessary incompatibility between great mental 
activity and habitual good health, provided proper atten- 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 17 

tion is paid to physical culture. The old maxim that 
" all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," is quite 
true. There is health of mind in innocent hilarity. 
There is health in bodily sports which combine ani- 
mated exercise with amusement. There is health of 
soul in the contemplation of nature, when he who con- 
templates, adores, and early learns to "look through na- 
ture up to nature's God." The benefit of moderate ex- 
citement is often very great on the moral constitution and 
physical frame, and should be temperately indulged in 
by all, according to the predispositions of each. Some 
inherit a passion for the gun, and others for the angle ; 
some are fond of equestrian excursions, while others 
love to foot it along the quiet shores of lakes, and on 
sublime mountain tops. Shakspeare gave us a maxim 
of wisdom in literary pursuits, when he said, "Study 
what you most affect ;" and in our recreations we 
should pursue what is most congenial to native tastes. 
Hard study should be succeeded by hardy exercise in 
some appropriate form. The foot-ball at Rugby, and the 
regatta at Eaton, bowling at Harrow, and cricket at 
Westminster, succeeded by all those invigorating exer- 
cises in constant practice at Oxford and Cambridge, 
give to England the most elegant and able-bodied 
scholars in the world. 

But vigorous mental development is a prime quality 
in a manly education. Man is nL-)t all soul, therefore he 
is not conditioned as an angel ; neither is he all body, 
and for this reason he cannot with impunity live as a 
brute. We have sensibilities as well as senses, spirit as 
well as flesh. We are a compound of earth and heaven ; 



18 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

dust tempered with tears, and quickened with a spark 
unquenchable ; a spirit exiled in a prison of clay, and 
both tenant and tabernacle must be cared for. It is 
ignoble to be, like a wild hunter, all exercise and no 
thought ; it is equally suicidal to dignified excellence to 
be, like too many votaries of science, all thought and 
no exercise. A sound mind in a sound body was long 
since deemed the great desideratum ; and this we should 
be most strenuous to attain. To be successful, we must 
" be in eye of every exercise." We must feel that it is 
belter to have a reed that will do us some service than 
a pike that we have neither the strength nor skill to 
heave : 

*'Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, 
Which we ascribe to heaven ; the fated sky 
Gives us free scope j only doth backward pull 
Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull." 

One must not only be a zealous worshipper of know- 
ledge, but he must learn to pluck the fruit fresh from the 
tree wdth a vigorous hand. He must be a devout and 
active student in the great university of nature, where 
one can gather materials such as dogmatism and "dried 
preparations" never afford. Careful scrutiny of the 
world and profound meditation constitute the most an- 
cient and infallible road to the soundest learning; he 
who pursues his manly career therein, will not be of that 
feeble class whose listless hand "hangs like dead bone 
within its withered skin," but vigorously will he grow, 
refreshed by the purest fountains, and enriched with the 
most valuable stores. Deep and passionate love of 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 19 

knowledge for its own sake indicates the soul of true 
scholarship. This is the sun of the heaven within us, 
around which the elements of our mental being gathei 
in delightful harmony and concentrate their force. 
Warmed into action by this luminary, and transfigured 
by its beams, the mind goes forth in action like the son 
of Tydeus, with glory blazing round it, kindling aston- 
ishment and emulous delight. The grand object of 
schooling is never attained until all the priceless powers 
of our nature are quickened and fortified by the true, the 
beautiful, the good and the grand ; until each faculty, in 
its own place and proportion, is thoroughly trained, and 
our physical and mental energies are moulded to a sym- 
metrical whole, of the purest, holiest and most enchant- 
ing harmony. ^ 

Education is soul-excitement, and that is the best dis- 
cipline for spiritual faculties which most efTectually stin^- 
ulates their growth, moulds their awakening energies, 
elicits and augments their strength. The main ques- 
tion is not what will make youth pedants, or bigots, or 
partisans, but what will make them inen ? Tliis will 
demand concentration of purpose and liberality of feel- 
ing. Concentration is essential to profitable acquisition. 
The stream, divided into many channels, ceases to flow 
either deep or strong. To waste one's strength in fri- 
volous endeavors is to covet the transient dazzle of an 
exploded rocket, rather than the perpetual blaze of the 
unquenchable sun. Many men of great natural capa- 
cities, for want of persevering fixedness of purpose, are 
utterly lost to the world; men whose intellect is emi- 



20 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

nently original and creative, competent under suitable 
discipline to upraise 

" A WILDERNESS of buildings sinking far, 
And self-withdrawn into a wondrous depth, 
Far sinking into splendor, without end." 

Unfortunately, however, for themselves and the world, 
too many neglect wholesome training, and supinely waste 
their fine energies in "one long day of summer indo- 
lence." But mental action cannot be intense unless all 
the faculties are made to play within a narrow range. 
The electric fluid is as impotent as the unbounded air it 
sleeps in, until concentrated in a thunder-cloud. Nature 
has closely confined the muscles in our frame, in order 
to give them the highest degree of p#wer in combined 
action ; and in the same way our spiritual capacities, 
to attain their full force, must be brought to bear on a 
single point, and work within exclusive limits. It is ne- 
cessary that even solar heat should be converged to a 
focus of ten thousand beams ere it will burn. 

Education is not an abstract theory, a lifeless creed, 
stored away in the torpid brain like obsolete relics de- 
posited on musty shelves ; it is concrete power, generat- 
ed by the collision of great truths and vital principles, 
as lightning is elicited by the contact of opposing clouds, 
and must be brought to bear with instantaneous and ir- 
resistible fulminations on the intellect and heart of man- 
kind. Now the source and secret of this master endow-, 
ment is generosity of feeling. Its possessor will seek 
knowledge and influence, not for personal aggrandize- 
ment, but for the public good. He is not of that dry. 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 21 

phlegmatic and miserable class of professed scholars, 
"plunged to the hilt in musty tomes, and rusted in," who 
industriously accumulate their petty stores, and are for- 
ever " bristling up with small facts," but who labor only 
for self, and consequently win only contempt. An old 
author has said that "we fatten a sheep with grass, 
not in order to obtain a crop of hay from his back, but 
in the hope he will feed us with mutton, and clothe us 
with wool." We should replenish the mind with sound 
principles, and seek the discipline of severe study, in or- 
der more successfully to conquer the chicanery of 
the bar, the sophistry of the senate, the stupidity of 
the pulpit, and the sinfulness of the world. Education 
is the armor of the mind ; but that armor will be worse 
than none if it be inflexible from rust, or too ponderous 
for the wearer's use. 

The professed man of letters, who constantly acquires 
and yet never has the force of genius to produce, acts 
the ridiculous part of an architect who never executes 
a plan, or a sculptor who never clips a stone. Of all 
idlers he is the most contemptible who fritters away tal- 
ent and existence under such professions. What use is 
it to be forever familiarizing one's self with books, those 
" monuments of vanished minds," as D'Avenant well 
called them, and yet never be vivified with an original 
thought. This is to resemble Pharaoh's lean kine, con- 
stantly eating and constantly poor, rather than the more 
useful worm that spins from its own bowels the robes of 
grandest monarchs, transforming every leaf it eats into 
resplendent and practical usefulness. In national armo- 
ries we sometimes see large quantities of martial imple- 



22 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

ments curiously arranged in fantastic forms. How much 
more impressive they would be if seen glittering in quick 
motion on the field, and how much more potent would 
be their use when grasped by well-disciplined legions, 
rushing to the final charge. A single weapon wielded 
bv a chivalrous and resolute hero would be more effect- 
ive than the holyday show of all the martial weapons in 
repose on earth. 

We have mentioned two prominent traits in the early 
discipline practiced by Mr. Webster, severe mental toil 
accompanied with vigorous physical exercise. It is im- 
portant to remark, thirdly, that while he was thus dili- 
gent in mastering knowledge and acquiring strength of 
every kind, he was equally critical and constant in 
watching the conduct of the wise, and in emulating the 
best professional models. We have been told that, for 
years before he became distinguished at the bar, and 
loner afterwards, he was constant in his attendance on 
all business, with his note-book before him, listening at- 
tentively to the best counsel, and writing down carefully 
every sagacious remark from the bench. It is a great 
advantage and auspicious omen for a young man, quiet- 
ly to listen to his superiors, while in doing so he delibe- 
rately resolves to emulate their excellence, and, if possi- 
ble, exceed them in both power and speed. 

At an early day, Mr. Webster formed the "habit of 
thinking with a pen in his hand, and of inscribing his 
thought before him, in the simplest and most perspicu- 
ous form ; in this way, he acquired a wonderful facility 
in conceiving and expressing his ideas in the most lumi- 
nous and forcible style. He may have learned from 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 23 

Aristotle, that, of the four elements of education, design 
is to be placed on a level with grammar. At any rate, 
more than any other orator living, probably, he has al- 
ways been most studious of clearness and accuracy in 
constructinjT the basis and outlines of his discourse. Il 
was thus, that from the bejrinniniT he cultivated correct 
habits of thought, perpetually subdued himself to philoso 
phical propriety and critical analysis, reined in his more 
impetuous faculties, made reason supreme, and combined 
elaborated meditation with logical truth. This spirit of 
grand conception, habitual research, and fervid enthusi- 
asm, ambitious only for the execution of loftiest pur- 
poses, is the sure prognostic of consummate excellence, 
and the only foundation for lasting fame. The great 
architect and adornerof the Parthenon possessed it, and 
hence, " Nothing is more perfect than Phidias," says 
Cicero: " You cannot praise him enough," says Pliny: 
" lie made gods better than men," says Quintilian ; the 
secret of all which capacity and worth is stated by Plato 
who testifies that " Phidias was skillful in beauty." Al- 
though he executed fiG;ures of the most exalted beinjrs 
only, and these in gigantic forms, every feature and 
limb were invested with dignified splendor, because he 
always wrought in the most valuable materials, accord- 
ing to the strictest rules and with the greatest care. 

Thus disciplined, we cannot wonder that his law- 
teacher prophesied for young Webster great success, 
and that at a subsequent period, in noticing his transla- 
tion to the highest American forum, the Boston Courier 
should say : " The election has placed in the Senate of 
the United Stages a man who will ably defend the mea- 



24 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

sures of the National Administration, so far as they can 
be justified by a liberal construction of the Constitution, 
and tend to promote the prosperity of the whole coun- 
try." This brings us to our 

Third general point, viz., a sketch of Mr. Webster's 
professional career. " Great wits in every age," says 
Lord Bacon, " have been overborne, and in a sort, 
tyranized over ; whilst men of capacity and comprehen- 
sion above the vulgar, (yet consulting their own credit 
and reputation,) have submitted themselves to the over- 
swaying judgment of time and multitude. Therefore, 
if in any time and place, more profound contemplations 
have perchance emerged and revealed themselves, they 
have been forthwith lost and extinguished by the winds 
and tempests of popular opinions." This will hardly 
apply to our statesman-orator, who has the more tri- 
umphantly succeeded, because from the beginning he 
never designed to raise a splendid structure on a quick- 
sand, but on a solid foundation, acquired by habitual 
precision of thought, fixedness of purpose, and indomita- 
ble energy of pursuit. From the time he moved to 
Portsmouth, in 1807, his career was a steady advance 
towards the highest functions and the widest influence. 
The wisest judge in the State, the late Gov. Smith, and 
the strongest lawyer, Mr. Mason, recently deceased, 
were his professional rivals and admiring friends. 
Called in early manhood to antagonize with veterans of 
the amplest resources, and of the quickest penetration ; 
he battled bravely with men whose comprehensive men- 
tal grasp, rigid logic, and apt illustration, left no safety 
or hope, to their young adversary, but in equal vigor, 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 25 

industry, and skill. In this wholesome school of severe 
and rugged professional practice, Mr. Webster doubt- 
less acquired much of that intellectual training and 
power, which subsequently rendered him greatly supe- 
rior to most advocates, and inferior to none. 

His first political office was the one to which he was 
elected in 1812, when he was hardly thirty years old, as 
a member of the thirteenth Congress of the United 
States. Among the debates in which he distinguished 
himself, the bill for "encouraging enlistipents," in Janu- 
ary, 1814, drew from him a highly patriotic speech, of 
which the following is an extract : 

" The humble aid which it would be in my power to 
render to measures of government, shall be given cheer- 
fully, if government will pursue measures which I can 
conscientiously support. If, even now, failing in an 
honest and sincere attempt to procure a just and honor- 
able peace, it will return to measures of defence and 
protection, such as reason, and common sense, and the 
public opinion, all call lor, my vote shall not be with- 
holden from the means. Give up your futile projects of 
invasion. Extinjruish the fires that blaze on your in- 
land frontiers. Establish perfect safety and defence 
there by adequate force. Let every man that sleeps on 
your soil sleep in security. Stop the blood that flows 
from the veins of unarmed yeomanry, and women and 
children. Give to the living time to bury and lament 
their dead, in the quietness of private sorrow. Having 
performed this work of beneficence and mercy on your 
inland border, turn and look with the eye of justice and 
compassion on your vast population along the coast. 
2 



26 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Unclench the iron grasp of your embargo. Take mea- 
sures for that end, before another sun sets upon you. 
With all the war of the enemy on your commerce, if 
you would cease to make war upon it yourselves, you 
would still have some commerce. That commerce 
would give you some revenue. Apply that revenue to 
the augmentation of your navy. That navy, in turn, 
will protect your commerce. Let it no longer be said, 
that not one ship of force, built by your hands since the 
war, yet floats upon the ocean. Turn the current of 
your efforts into the channel, which national sentiment 
has already worn broad and deep to receive it. A naval 
force, competent to defend your coast against consider- 
able armaments, to convoy your trade, and perhaps raise 
the blockade of your rivers, is not a chimera. It may 
be realized. If, then, the war must continue, go to the 
ocean. If you are seriously contending for maritime 
rights, go to the theatre where alone those rights can 
be defended. Thither every indication of your fortunes 
points you. There the united wishes and exertions of 
the nation will go with you. Even our party divisions, 
acrimonious as they are, cease at the water's edge. 
They are lost in attachment to the national character, 
on the element where that character is made respectable. 
In protecting naval interests by naval means, you will 
arm yourselves with the whole power of national senti- 
ment, and may command the whole abundance of the 
national resource. In time you may be enabled to re- 
dress injuries in the place where they may be offered ; 
and, if need be, to accompany your own flag throughout 
the world with the protection of your own cannon." 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 27 

Later, in the same Congress, he contributed very much 
to the establishment of a sound currency, by the over- 
throw of the paper-bank system. He was re-elected to 
New Hampshire for the fourteenth Congress, and sat 
there durin^c the sessions of 1815-lG, and 1816-17. 
It was during this period that he introduced and carried 
a Resolution, still a part of the law of the United States, 
the effect of which was to require the revenue to be re- 
ceived only in the legal currency of the country, or in 
bills equal to that currency in value. 

His income at Portsmouth being insufficient to repair 
the heavv loss he had sustained in the c^reat fire of 1813, 
Mr. Webster now retired for a season from public life, 
and, in 1816, removed to Boston, in search of wider 
practice in his profession and ampler revenues. For six 
or eight years, he refused to accept office, avoided all 
political discussion, and gave his entire energies to the 
business of the bar. He had now distinguished himself 
as a lawyer in Massachusetts, as well as in his native 
State, and two terms in Congress had caused him to be 
widely known as a distinguished statesman, young as he 
was. But the hour now came, when his rank as a jurist, 
was to be no less clearly determined and widely pro- 
claimed. On the 10th of March, 1818, before the Su- 
preme Court of the United States, at Washington, he 
made his argument in behalf of Dartmouth College. It 
is said the court-room was excessively crowded, not 
only with a large assemblage of the most eminent law- 
yers of the Union, but with many of its leading states- 
men, — drawn there no less by the importance of the 
cause, and the wide results that would follow its decision, 



28 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

than by the known eloquence of Mr. Hopkinson and 
Mr. Wirt, both of whom were engaged in it. Mr. 
Webster opened the discussion, on behalf of the college. 
A spectator describes the scene as follows. " He opened 
his cause, as he always does, with perfect simplicity in 
the general statement of its facts ; and then went on to 
unfold the topics of his argument, in a lucid order, 
which made each position sustain every other. The 
logic and the law were rendered irresistible. But, as he 
advanced, his heart warmed to the subject and the occa- 
sion. Thoughts and feelings, that had grown old with 
his best affections, rose unbidden to his lips. He re- 
membered that the institution he was defending, was the 
one where his own youth had been nurtured; and the 
moral tenderness and beauty this gave to the grandeur 
of his thoughts; the sort of religious sensibility it im- 
parted to his urgent appeals and demands for the stern 
fulfilment of what law and justice required, wrought up 
the whole audience to an extraordinary state of excite- 
ment. Many betrayed strong agitation ; many w^ere 
dissolved in tears. When he ceased to speak, there was 
a perceptible interval before any one was willing to 
break the silence ; and, when that vast crowd separated, 
not one person of the whole number doubted, that the 
man who had that day so moved, astonished, and con- 
trolled them, had vindicated for himself a place at the 
side of the first jurists of the country." 

The Massachusetts Reports, and the Reports in the 
Circuit and Supreme Courts of the United States, show 
that at this period, Mr. Webster's professional labors and 
success were very great. But his fame and usefulness 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 29 

were not confined to the bar. In 1 820-2 1 , a convention of 
delegates was assembled in Boston, to revise the consti- 
tution of Massachusetts. The venerable John Adams, 
then eighty-five years old, represented his native vil- 
lage; Justice Story, of the Supreme Court of the United 
States, was a delegate from Salem; Judge Davis, of the 
District Court of the United States, and the majority of 
the judicial officers and most influential citizens of the 
State were there. It was the most dignified and talented 
assembly ever collected in New England, in which Mr. 
Webster bore a distinguished part. Of his eloquence 
developed therein, we shall speak in the sequel. 

The people of Boston repeatedly urged that such 
talents and acquirements as Mr. Webster possessed, 
should again be in the service of the whole country. 
He had already declined an ofl^er of a seat in the Senate, 
but, in 1822, he accepted a seat as their Representative 
in Congress. His labors in the years 1823-4, and his 
great work of digesting and causing to be adopted the 
Crimes Act in 1825, can now be referred to only. In 
182G, by a very large majority of both houses in the 
Legislature of IMassachusetts, he was chosen to fill a va- 
cancv in the Senate of the United States. Of his career 
in that body, and of his great diplomatic services re- 
cently performed, it would be superfluous to give details, 
as they are all before the world, highly appreciated and 
everywhere known. We shall have occasion to recur 
to several of them, while we proceed. 

Fourthly, to portray some of the chief features of Mr. 
Webster's eloquence. We think that distinct percep- 
tion, accurate combination, severe deduction, and forci- 



30 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

ble illustration, are the chief elements blended in his 
composition, which we will endeavor to verify by 
specific analysis, and pertinent examples from his social 
addresses, congressional speeches, literary productions, 
and forensic arguments. 

In the first place, let us consider Mr. Webster's dis- 
tinctness of mental perception. All qualities of orato- 
rical excellence concur in this one elemental principle, 
as a focal-point — clearness of insight, and facility of 
execution. No excellence of finish can atone for mean- 
ness of design ; and he alone can conceive vividly and 
compose efl?ec lively, who sees the whole of his work 
before him at the beginning. Mr. Webster's mind is one 
of that rare class which aspires to the serenest heights, 
expatiates over the widest and most diversified domain, 
embracing at once the two poles of human intelligence, 
imagination the most imperial, and science the most 
exact. Of perhaps the greatest living French savan and 
orator, whom our countryman in physical and mental 
character much resembles, Vericour has said, " Unlike 
many orators who will speak on all subjects, M. Arago 
only speaks on subjects that he has studied — questions 
possessing either the interest of political circumstances, 
or the attraction of science. When he ascends the tri- 
bune, his noble figure and fine head awe the assembly 
into attention. If he confines himself to the narration 
of facts, his eloquence has the natural grace of simpli- 
city ; when face to face with a question of paramount 
importance to th^ liberty of his country, or with one of 
science, whether in the Chamber or in the professional 
chair, he contemplates his subject with earnestness. 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 31 

unravels its subtleties, and evinces a power of com- 
prehension and elucidation which bespeaks the superior 
mind ; proceeding, he begins to employ a splendid phra- 
seology — his voice swells — his style grows richer and 
richer, and his eloquence rises to the grandeur of his 
theme. M. Arago's speeches have both generality and 
actuality ; they equally address themselves to the intel- 
ligence and passions of his audience ; when he enters 
upon any question or matter, whether scientific or poli- 
tical, he clears it of its difficulties and technicalities, and 
renders it so precise and perceptible, that the most igno- 
rant and dull are enabled to comprehend it. He is one 
of the most luminous intellects of the a^e." 

This strikingly describes Mr. Webster's mental struc- 
ture and habits, inasmuch as sublimity of conception, 
grandeur of outline, breadth of meaning, and a severe 
classical tone, are the most habitual features of his style, 
always mighty, and often quite elegant. For instance, 
in Nov., 1828, he was called upon to open the course of 
Lectures before the Boston Mechanics' Institution, and 
suri)rised all by his profound knowledge of art the most 
useful and severely grand : — " Architecture, I have said, 
is an art that unites, in a singular manner, the useful 
and the beautiful. It is not to be inferred from this, 
that everything in architecture is beautiful, or is to be 
so esteemed, in exact proportion to its apparent utility. 
No more is meant, than that nothing which evidently 
thwarts utility, can, or ought to be accounted beautiful ; 
because, in every work of art, the design is to be re- 
garded, and what defeats that design, cannot be con- 
sidered as well done. The French rhetoricians have a 



32 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

maxim, that m literary composition, " nothing is beauti' 
ful which is not true." They do not intend to say, that 
strict and literal truth is alone beautiful in poetry or 
oratory ; but they mean that that which grossly offends 
against probability is not in good taste in either. The 
same relation subsists between beauty and utility in 
architecture, as betw^een truth and imagination in poetry. 
Utility is not to be obviously sacrificed to beauty, in the 
one case ; truth and probability are not to be outraged 
for the cause of fiction and fancy, in the other. In the 
severer styles of architecture, beauty and utility ap- 
proach, so as to be almost identical. Where utility is 
more strongly than ordinary the main design, the pro- 
portions w^hich produce it, raise the sense or feeling of 
beauty, by a sort of reflection or deduction of the mind. 
It is said that ancient Rome had, perhaps, no finer spe- 
cimens of the classic Doric, than were in the sewers 
which ran under her streets, and which were, of course, 
always to be covered from human observation ; so true 
is it, that cultivated taste is always pleased with justness 
of proportion ; and that design, seen to be accomplished, 
gives pleasure. The discovery, and fast increasing use 
of a noble material, found in vast abundance, nearer to 
our cities than the Pentelican quarries to Athens, may 
well awaken, as they do, new attention to architectural 
improvement. If this material be not entirely well- 
suited to the elegant Ionic, or the rich Corinthian, it is 
yet fitted, beyond marble, beyond perhaps alm.ost any 
other material, for the Doric, of which the appropriate 
character is strength, and for the Gothic, of which the 
appropriate character is grandeur. 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 33 

" It is not more than justice, perhaps, to our ances- 
tors, to call the Gothic the English classic architecture ; 
for in England, probably, are its most distinguished spe- 
cimens. As its leading characteristic is grandeur ; its 
main use would seem to be sacred. It had its origin, 
indeed, in ecclesiastical architecture. Its evident desisjn 
was to surpass the ancient orders, by the size of the 
structure, and its far greater heights ; to excite percep- 
tions of beauty, by the branching traceries and the gor- 
geous tabernacles within; and to inspire religious awe 
and reverence by the lofty pointed arches ; — the flying 
buttresses, the spires, and the pinnacles, springing from 
beneath, stretching upwards towards the heavens with 
the prayers of the worshippers. Architectural beauty 
having always a direct reference to utiHty, edifices, 
whether civil or sacred, must of course undergo different 
changes, in different places, on account of climate, and 
in different ages, on account of tiie different states of 
other arts, or different notions of convenience. The 
hypa?thral temple, for example, or temple without a roof, 
is not to be thought of in our latitudes ; and the use of 
glass, a thing not now to be dispensed with, is also to 
be accommodated, as well as it may be, to the architec- 
tural structure. These necessary variations, and many 
more admissible ones, give room for improvements to 
an indefinite extent, without departing from the princi- 
ples of true taste. May we not hope, then, to see our 
own city celebrated as the city of architectural ex- 
cellence. May we not hope to see our native granite 
reposing in the ever-during strength of the Doric, or 
springing up in the grand and lofty Gothic, in forms 
2* 



34 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

which beauty and utility, the eye and the judgment, 
taste and devotion, shall unite to approve and to admire?" 

When a public speaker is left to choose his themes, he 
will be likely to select such as are genial to his own 
taste, and analogous to the structure of his intellect. 
The above instance is an apt illustration. As in archi- 
tecture, the rule is, that the most beautiful should stand 
on the most firm, such seems to be the law of Mr. Web- 
ster's mind. We often meet with works whose vigor of 
execution can be equalled only by their imbecility and 
incongruity of conception, but such is not the case with 
the great master now under review. If we mistake not, 
the most eminent of all his qualities is a clear percep- 
lion of what he would do, and the best way of doing it. 
Having invented his stand-point, he accurately estimates 
its force, expands its power of persuasiveness through 
all the projected argument, clothes the compact skeleton 
with the elasticity and symmetrical charms of vigorous 
life, and sets forth a perfected work, the organ of sub- 
limity, not less pleasing to the taste than impressive to 
the understanding. His chief position, once clearly 
perceived, and stated in the simplest and most rigid 
terms, he thenceforth becomes the efficient servant of 
what he himself created ; as Homer, at the very thresh- 
old of his epic, proclaims himself only the herald of his 
Zeus, of whose almighty will he is the free and rejoicing 
bard. 

Mr. Webster early won accuracy of view, and confi- 
dence of hand, by protracted and careful practice, so that 
he eventually came with great facility to idealize with 
exactness and power. He waited for the chance reve- 



DANIEL VVKBSTER. 35 

lation of no secret in composition, but the secrets of 
toilsome meditation ; he employed no tricks, but abstruse 
investigation without limit, and practical application of 
his resources without end. For the basis and perpetual 
momentum of this excellence, we must revert to the 
circumstances of his youth, and the habits then formed. 
He found beauty and strength, physical hardihood and 
mental acuteness as well as force, in the stern visitations 
of the wintry regions wherein he was born. His soul 
was indeed ripened under that northern sky. The best 
blood of all lowlands, at no remote period, came from 
higher regions, where the hardy and un vitiated mountain 
influence and elements for ever remain the source of that 
invincible strength, which bids defiance to all obstacles, 
and reduces to subjugation every antagonist. There 
the stupendous forms of creation are in unison with the 
swelling thoughts of predestined artists, statesmen, and 
divines, toiling in the ravines, scaling hills, and strug- 
gling through drifting snows, to reach the rustic school ; 
and at night studious by the pine-wood flame, while 
tempests wildly howl without. In such regions, the 
finest genius is produced and vigorously tempered, like 
the most brilliant gems in obscurest caverns, and on 
stormiest coasts; or rather like sweetest flowers under 
Alpine glaciers, the more sensitive but enduring as the 
cold is more severe. Intellect, thus originating, is never 
fatally chilled, because the latent spirit of enterprise, 
generated by salubrious air, and the inspiration of sub- 
lime scenery, tend perpetually to kindle the soul and 
keep it in a blaze. The mental eye is rendered piercing 
as lightning, and the brain, m^'ghtily vitalized, generates 



36 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

thunders which burst with simultaneous peals and add 
grandeur to every celestial stroke. 

To distinct perception, accurate combination is con- 
joined, and forms a bold feature in Mr. Webster's mind. 
8ome students begin their career with a theory, beauti- 
ful, graceful, yet indistinct ; others, with one general and 
essentially grand without detail, as if attention to mi- 
nutiae were beneath them ; and others still, with an 
ambition keen, sagacious, grappling, and on the direct 
road to sound acquisitions, but lack perseverance in ela- 
borating and skillfully combining their ideas. They ac- 
cumulate copious materials, it may be, but where is the 
solid ground for the machinery of Archimedes? No- 
thing really powerful is produced, because there is no 
controlling law positive, clear, and well-defined. Gran- 
deur of style does not consist in the omission of all de- 
tails, but in the wise selection and combination of the 
leading ones. It is only by first ascertaining particulars 
that are pertinent, that we can discover essentials that 
are eflfective. The union of simplicity and variety pro- 
duces harmony ; while confusion commences where a 
due blending of these is neglected, or either is allowed 
too extravagantly to preponderate. In the best style, 
erudition and illustration are introduced only so far as 
they can be made subservient to intrinsic excellence 
and lucid expression. For example, the writer or 
speaker must obtain a perfect conception of a tree in its 
entireness, before he proceeds to disentangle its branches 
or burnish its leaves. To clear the accidental from the 
essential, requires the greatest perspicacity of reasoning 
power, and the habit of perpetually recurring to the 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 37 

first principles of things. At every step in the construc- 
tion of a discourse, knowledge should serve as the basis, 
judgment as the guide, and cautious taste characterize 
the selection. In every valuable composition, unity is 
the soul and key-note ; upon this depends the effective 
harmony of all subordinate parts, as the tone of the firs' 
instrument in a concert tunes and governs all the rest 
This is well exemplified in Mr. Webster, who never suffers 
the blandishments of his rhetoric to absorb important mean- 
ing, or supplant logical expression and exactness of form. 
However succinct and rapid his argument may some- 
times be, every word is poised by characteristic preci- 
sion, and can only be the result of deliberate inquiry 
and minute examination. Every touch of his clear and 
concentrated mind on the leading points of his subject 
is a separate thought, each additional one a brighter token 
of extended genius and predestined triumph. 

" Artificial life 
Lives in these touches, livelier than life." 

As an example, take the close of Mr. Webster's ora- 
tion, at the laying of the corner stone of the Bunker Hill 
Monument, June 17, 1825. " An immense multitude 
was assembled. They stood on the consecrated spot, 
with only the heavens over their heads, and beneath 
their feet the bones of their fathers ; amidst the visible 
remains of the very redoubt thrown up by Prescott, and 
defended by him to the very last desperate extremity; 
and with the names of Warren, Putnam, Stark, and 
Brooks, and the other leaders or victims of that great 
day frequent and familiar on their lips. In the midst of 



38 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

such a scene and with such recollections, starting like 
the spirits of the dead from the very sods of that hill^ 
side, it may well be imagined, that words like the fol- 
lowing, addressed to a vast audience, — composed in no 
small degree of the survivors of the battle, their children 
and their grand-children, — produced an effect, which 
only the hand of death can efface.'*' Said the orator : 

"We know, indeed, that the record of illustrious 
actions is most safely deposited in the universal remem- 
brance of mankind. We know, that if we could cause 
this structure to ascend, not only till it reached the skies, 
but till it pierced them, its broad surfaces could still con- 
tain but part of that which, in an age of knowledge, 
hath already been spread over the earth, and which his- 
tory charges itself with making known to all future 
times. We know, that no inscription on entablatures 
less broad than the earth itself, can carry information of 
the events we commemorate, where it has not already 
gone ; and that no structure, which shall not outlive the 
durauon of letters and knowledge among men, can pro- 
long the memorial. But our object is, by this edifice, 
to show our own deep sense of the value and importance 
of the achievements of our ancestors ; and, by present- 
ing this work of gratitude to the eye, to keep alive simi 
lar sentiments, and to foster a constant regard for the 
principles of the Revolution. Human beings are com- 
posed not of reason only, but of imagination also, and 
sentiment ; and that is neither w^asted nor misapplied 
which is appropriated to the purpose of giving right 
direction to sentiments, and opening proper springs of 
feeling in the heart. Let it not be supposed that our 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 39 

object is to perpetuate national hostility, or even to cher- 
ish a mere mihtary spirit. It is higher, purer, nobler. 
We consecrate our work to the spirit of national inde- 
pendence, and we wish that the light of peace may rest 
upon it for ever. We rear a memorial of our convic» 
tion of that unmeasured benefit, which has been con- 
ferred on our own land, and of the happy influences, 
which have been produced, by the same events, on the 
general interests of mankind. We come, as Americans, 
to mark a spot, which must for ever be dear to us and 
our posterity. We wish, that whosoever, in all coming 
time, shall turn his eye hither, may behold that the place 
is not undistinguished, where the first great battle of 
the Revolution was fought. We wish, that this structure 
may proclaim the magnitude and importance of that event, 
to every class and every age. We wish, that infancy may 
learn the purpose of it3 erection from maternal lips, and 
that weary and withered age may behold it, and be 
solaced by the recollections which it suggests. We 
wish, that labor may look up here, and be proud, in the 
midst of its toil. We wish, that, in those days of dis- 
aster, which, as they come on all nations, must be ex- 
pected to come on us also, desponding patriotism may 
turn its eves hitherward, and be assured that the founda- 
tionsof our national power still stand strong. We wish, 
that this column, rising towards heaven among the 
pointed spires of so many temples dedicated to God, 
may, contribute also to produce, in all minds, a pious 
feeling of dependence and gratitude. We wish, finally, 
that the last obiect on the sicrht of him who leaves his 
native shore, and the first to gladden his who revisits it, 



40 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

maybe something which may remind him of the liberty 
and glory of his country. Let it rise, till it meet the 
sun in his coming ; let the earliest light of the morning 
gi!d it, and parting day linger and play on its summit." 
To distinct perception, and accurate combination, we 
mention, thirdly, severe deduction, as the most promi- 
nent trait in Mr. Webster's oratorical character. 
That speaker will succeed most triumphantly, or fail 
with greatest dignity, who presents the principal feature 
of his subject in the boldest manner, to the neglect of all 
subordinates, rather than he who fritters away all his 
talent upon secondary topics, and retains little or no 
capacity to execute the chief Mr. Webster has pro- 
duced great excellence in every department of elaborate 
composition ; but the highest order of logical compact- 
ness in forensic warfare alone unites his various 
energies in a glorious aggregate ; as the grace of 
Nireus, the dignity of Agamemnon, the impetuosity of 
Hector, the magnitude of the great, the furiousness of 
the lesser Ajax, the perseverance of Ulysses, and the 
intrepidity of Diomede, are the emanations of the same 
transcendant intellect, which in the single person of 
Achilles, find their splendid centre and perfect embodi- 
ment. He has written occasional orations of the highest 
merit, but which seem to have been regarded by their 
author as unworthy^'df the severer exercise of his 
faculties ; like the great secretary and patriot under 
Cromwell, who, having thrown on the world the mas- 
terly production of the greatest genius, continued his 
labors, as if he had given nothing to mankind — as if 



^ DANIEL WEBSTER. 41 

Paradise Lost was a forgotten pamphlet, about which 
neither he nor any one else need to care. 

Mr. Webster's eloquence we regard as epic in charac- 
ter, rather than dramatic, lyrical, or historical. It is that 
kind which relates to those high and abstract principles 
which elevate our nature in thought or moral action, 
and which are allied to any power, natural or super-na- 
tural, of elemental or political revolution, the absolute 
resistance of which is impossible. The highest range 
which this, the first order of the sublime in speech ever # 
assumes, is when the mind, soaring above the entangle-i 
ments of earth, and vicissitudes of time, defies the de- 
struction of both, impelled by some all-absorbing affec- 
tion, noble sentiment, grand public benefit, or gre^» 
moral principle. Such sublimity is something inde- 
pendent of material elements ; it is a glory that will sur- 
vive when these shall melt with fervent heat, and will 
liiiht the firmament when the sun is shrouded in sack- 
cloth of hair. 

'^ His thoughts all great and solemn and serene, 
Like the immensest features of an orb, 
Whose eyes are blue seas, and whose clear broad brow 
Some cultured continent, come ever round 
From truth to truth — day bringing as they come." 

He who perceives beautiful and majestic thought as 
an actual substance, and zealously embodies what he 
sees in clear and substantial language, will naturally be- 
come the most forcible and enduring orator. A firm 
and distinct outline is an invariable characteristic of all 
good composition, and he who can best command this, 
will be sure to express his ideas with most correctness, 



42 LIVING ORATORS IN AiAIERICA. 

pleasure and energy. The greatest merit lies not in the 
elaborate finish of minute details, but in that enlarged 
comprehension which contemplates the whole extent 
and bearings of a subject at the outset, combined with a 
facility of execution which boldly stamps a definite and 
adequate expression on every part. As a deep know- 
ledge of the human form is the basis of the knowledge 
of all other forms, and the capacity to draw the hu- 
man frame accurately the foundation of the highest 
practical skill in every department of artistic excellence ; 
so is a critical understanding of human language in its 
philosophical elements and dextrous combinations, a de- 
partment of the noblest study, and source of the greatest 
power. Michael Angelo spent twelve years in dissect- 
ing, that he might worthily express the material features 
of man ; Daniel Webster has spent a whole life in the 
most earnest analysis of language that he might more 
effectively express the fairest and boldest features of 
eloquence, and long since attained a wonderful capacity 
for embodying ideas the most rich and glowing in forms 
of sculpturesque severity. He was evidently born to 
give the world more enlarged and exalted conceptions, 

" And uttered in a sound and homely tongue, 
Fit to be used by all who think while speaking." 

Longinus believed that the sublime, as it is the highest 
excellence to which human composition can attain, 
abundantly compensates the absence of every other 
beauty. According to this rule, Mr. Webster never 
seeks the aid of meretricious ornaments, however ele- 
gant or graceful, but binds the language he employs 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 43 

strictly within the logical confines of the propositions 
he would demonstrate. He preserves a senatorial dig- 
nity throughout, and is by nature and education an 
orator unrivalled in the skill of unravelling subtleties, 
and of wielding the weapons of searching and inexorable 
dialectics. He uses words as the means, not as the end ; 
language in his hands is the instrument, conviction is 
the work. No one can doubt the copiousness of his 
mental resources; but he deals out his abundance with 
a steady and cautious hand, with that wise reserve which 
is not ambitious to display either its wealth or its art. 
His own mental character and habits as an orator are 
best described in his own well-known language applied 
to another. Said he : 

" The eloquence of Mr. Adams resembled his general 
character, and formed, indeed, a part of it. It was bold, 
manly, and energetic ; and such the crisis required. 
When public bodies are to be addressed on momentous 
occasions, when great interests are at stake, and strong 
passions excited, nothing is valuable, in speech, farther 
than it is connected with high intellectual and moral 
endowments. Clearness, force, and earnestness, are the 
qualities which produce conviction. True eloquence, 
indeed, does not consist in speech. It cannot be brought 
from far. Labor and learning may toil for it, but they 
will toil in vain. Words and phrases may be marshalled 
in every way, but they cannot compass it. It must exist 
in the man, in the subject, and in the occasion. Af- 
fected passion, intense expression, the pomp of declama- 
tion, all may aspire after it, they cannot reach it. It 
comes, if it come at all, like the outbreaking of a fountain 



44 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

from the earth, or the bursting forth of volcanic fires, 
Vi^ith spontaneous, original, native force. The graces 
taught in the schools, the costly ornaments, and studied 
contrivances of speech, shock and disgust men, when 
their own lives, and the fate of their wives, their chil- 
dren, and their country, hang on the decision of the 
hour. Then words have lost their power, rhetoric is 
vain, and all elaborate oratory contemptible. Even 
genius itself then feels rebuked and subdued, as in the 
presence of higher qualities. Then, patriotism is elo- 
quent ; then self-devotion is eloquent. The clear con- 
ception, out-running the deductions of logic, the high 
purpose, the firm resolve, the dauntless spirit, speaking 
on the tongue, beaming from the eye, informing every 
feature, and urging the whole man onward, right onward 
to his object, — this, this is eloquence; or rather it is 
something greater and higher than eloquence, it is 
action, noble, sublime, god-like action." 

This clearness, freshness, and force, which Mr. Web- 
ster so much valued, he had acquired by a perpetual and 
profound study of simplicity; knowing that this one 
element, when pure, is better than a mixture of many 
of a gaudier tone. The highest merit of the best ora- 
tions consists mainly in a perfection of the w^hole, re- 
sulting from the just proportion of the several component 
parts. The longer w^e study such masterpieces, the 
more admirable traits we discover in them to admire ; 
as the enthusiastic antiquary exhumes a Phidian statue, 
and traces images of Olympian athletse thereon. In 
order to attain a general effect of grandeur, all trifling 
adjuncts must be avoided, so that the central idea may 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 45 

preponderate throughout, and cause an air of simple 
dignity to prevail over all the parts, "As the snow- 
headed mountain rises o'er the lightning, and applies 
itself to heaven." This unity of purpose, subordinating 
infinite diversity to its particular aim, and urging for- 
ward all its auxiliaries to the execution of a single grand 
design, ordinarily produces the majestic oneness of a 
shared passion in the audience subjected to its force. 
They are all filled with one thought, captured and im- 
pelled by one potent influence, as innumerable billows 
of the ocean roll, and myriad sons of the forest bend 
before the same breath of onmipotence. 

We have quoted Mr. Webster's definition of elo- 
quence, and will here present an illustration of his own 
rule, from the famous debate on the resolution ofiered by 
Mr. Foote, in the Senate, on the 29th of December, 
1829, as follows: 

'■' Resolved, — That the committee on Public Lands he 
instructed to inquire and report the quantity of public 
lands remaining unsold within each State and Terri- 
tory. And whether it be expedient to limit, for a 
certain period, the sales of the public lands to such 
lands only as have Jieretofore been offered for sale, and 
arc now subject to entry at the minimum price. And, 
also, whether the offices of Surveyor General, and some 
of the land offices, may not be abolished without detri- 
ment to the public interest ; or whether it be expedient 
to adopt measitres to hasten the sales, and extend 
more rapidly the surveys of the public lands." 

On the 18th of January, Mr. Benton, of Missouri, 
addressed the Senate ; and on the I9th, Mr. Hayne, of 



46 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA, 

South Carolina, proceeded in the debate, and spoke at 
considerable length. After he had concluded, Mr. 
Webster rose to reply, but gave way, on the motion of 
Mr. Benton for an adjournment. When the doors of 
the Senate-chamber were opened on the morning of the 
20th, says a spectator, " The rush for admittance was 
unprecedented. Mr. Webster had the floor, and rose. 
The first division of his speech is in reply to parts and 
details of his adversary's personal assault, — and is a 
happy, thougH severe specimen of the keenest spirit of 
genuine debate and retort ; for Mr. Webster is one of 
those dangerous adversaries, who are never so formida- 
ble or so brilliant, as when they are most rudely pressed ; 
■ — for then, as in the phosphorescence of the ocean, the 
degree of the violence urged, may always be taken as the 
measure of the brightness that is to follow. On the pre- 
sent occasion, his manner was cool, entirely self-possess- 
ed, and perfectly decided, and carried his irony as far as 
irony can go. There are portions of this first day's dis- 
cussion, like the passage relating to the charge of sleeping 
on the speech, he had answered ; the one in allusion to 
Banquo's ghost, which had been unhappily conjured up 
by his adversary; and the rejoinder respecting "one 
Nathan Dane, of Beverly, in Massachusetts," — which 
will not be forgotten. The very tones in which thev 
were uttered, still vibrate in the ears of those who heard 
them. There are, also, other and graver portions of it, 
— like those which respect the course of legislation in 
regard to the new States ; the conduct of the North in 
regard to slavery, and the doctrine of internal improve- 
ments, — which are in the most powerful style of parlia- 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 47 

mentary debate. As he approaches the conclusion 
of this first great division of his speech, he rises to the 
loftiest tone of national feeling, entirely above the dim, 
misty region of sectional or party passion and preju- 
dice : 

" The eulogium pronounced on the character of the 
State of South Carolina, by the honorable gentleman, for 
her revolutionary and other merits, meets my hearty con- 
currence. I shall not acknowledge that the honorable 
member goes before me in regard for whatever of dis- 
tinguished talent, or distinguished character, South 
Carolina has produced. I claim part of the honor, I 
partake in the pride, of her great names. I claim them 
for my countrymen, one and all. The Laurenses, the 
Rutledges, the Pinckneys, the Sumpters, the Marions — 
Americans, all — whose fame is no more to be hemmed 
in by State lines, than their talents and patriotism were 
capable of being circumscribed within the same narrow 
limits. In their day and generation, tliey served and 
honored the country, and the whole country ; and their 
renown is of the treasures of the whole country. Him, 
whose honored name the gentleman himself bears — does 
he esteem me less capable of gratitude for his patriot- 
ism, or sympathy for his sufferings, than if his eyes had 
first opened upon the light of Massachusetts, instead of 
South Carolina ? Sir, does he suppose it in his power 
to exhibit a Carolina name, so bright, as to produce 
envy in my bosom ? No, Sir, increased gratification 
and delight, rather. I thank God, that, if I am gifted 
with little of the spirit which is able to raise mortals to 
the skies, I have yet none, as 1 trust, of that other spirit, 



48 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

which would drag angels down. When I shall be 
found, Sir, in my place here, in the Senate, or else- 
where, to sneer at public merit, because it happens to 
spring up beyond the little limits of my own State, or 
neighborhood ; when I refuse for any such cause, or for 
any cause, the homage due to American talent, to ele- 
vated patriotism, to sincere devotion to liberty and the 
country ; or, if I see an uncommon endowment of 
Heaven — if I see extraordinary capacity and virtue 
in any son of the South — and if, moved by local preju- 
dice, or gangrened by State jealousy, I get up here to 
abate the tithe of a hair from his just character and just 
fame, may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ! 

" Sir, let me recur to pleasing recollections — let me 
indulge in refreshing remembrance of the past — let me 
remind you that in early times, no States cherished 
greater harmon}^, both of principle and feeling, than Mas- 
sachusetts and South Carolina. Would to God that 
harmony might again return ! Shoulder to shoulder 
they went through the Revolution — hand in hand they 
stood round the administration of Washington, and felt 
his own great arm lean on them for support. Unkind 
feeling, if it exist, alienation and distrust, are the growth, 
unnatural to such soils, of false principles since sown. 
They are weeds, the seeds of which that same great 
arm never scattered. 

" Mr. President, I shall enter on no encomium upon 
Massachusetts — she needs none. There she is — behold 
ler and judge for yourselves. There is her history : the 
ivorld knows it by heart. The past, at least, is secure. 
There is Boston, and Concord, and Lexington, and 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 49 

Bunker Hill — and there they will remain for ever. The 
bones of her sons, falling in the great struggle for inde- 
pendence, now lie mingled with the soil of every State, 
from New England to Georgia ; and there they will lie for 
ever. And, Sir, where American liberty raised its first 
voice ; and where its youth was nurtured and sustained, 
there it still lives, in the strength of its manhood, and 
full of its original spirit. If discord and disunion shall 
wound it — if party strife and blind ambition shall hawk 
at and tear it — if folly and madness — if uneasiness, 
under salutary and necessary restraint — shall succeed 
to separate it from that union, by which alone its exist- 
ence is made sure, it will stand, in the end, by the side 
of that cradle in which its infancy was rocked ; it will 
stretch forth its arm with whatever of vigor it may still 
retain, over the friends who gather round it ; and it will 
fall at last, if fall it must, amidst the proudest monu- 
ments of its own glory, and on the very spot of its 
origin." 

We have endeavored to describe and exemplify from 
his own productions, the distinct perception, accurate 
combination, and severe deduction, which so palpably 
characterize the oratory of Mr. Webster. We now 
come to speak of the forcible illustration he so frequently 
employs. 

The best works in the world are those wherein rugged 
vitality and ideal beauty are most harmoniously com- 
bined. The true master can infuse his sensibihty to 
beauty into reposing and simple subjects, as well as 
manifest the highest energy and worth in a more exalted 
range, and knows how in every department he culti- 
3 



50 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

vates, to temper and control the passionate outbreak ol 
impulsive feelings. Without this perpetual sovereignty 
of reason, public speech sinks to empty declamation, 
and is " a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, 
signifying nothing." Whenever the verbiage of a work 
obscures the subject by its opaqueness, or absorbs it in 
its splendor, the result is degraded to an inferior rank. 
Mr. Webster seldom or never falls into this fault, but 
preserves the golden mean between inert solidity and 
senseless inflation. The decided bias of his great latent 
power is to create excellence in majestic shapes, but 
these are imbued with flexible energy and not the apathy 
of impotence. Reason and imagination dwell in his 
mind, and characterize its soarings, "like to a pair of 
eagles in one nest." His reason, obeying only its own 
iron force, seems reckless of every obstacle, and shining 
through a medium- translucent as light, yet invincible as 
the avalanche, is destined, we believe, as long as the 
English language endures, to subsist unimpaired in the 
creations of its native grandeur, "as the changeless sea, 
rolling the same in every age as now." Observe that 
his imagination is something more powerful as well as 
more glorious, than the mere prettiness of puerile fancy; 
it is elementary fire, half rejoicing in its own permeating 
and purifying flames, creative of sublimity the most ex- 
alted, and superbly decorative of the worlds it has 
formed. The coalition of these two extraordinary attri- 
butes produces superlative completeness in oratorical 
power ; that unity which is essential to the most endur- 
ing excellence, its basis and crowning charm, and is 
symbolized, not by the butterfly fluttering round a cot- 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 51 

lage garden, but the eagle soaring above mountains and 
serenely basking in the sun. 

" Who can mistake great thoughts ? 
They seize upon the mind — arrest, and search, 
And shake it — bow the tall soul as by wind — 
Rush over it like rivers over reeds, 
Which quaver in the current — turn us cold. 
And pale, and voiceless ; leaving in the brain 
A rocking and a ringing." 

As the best illustration of our remarks on Mr. Web- 
ster's imagination, we subjoin his thrilling apostrophe to 
Warren on Bunker Hill. It is the more remarkable as 
containing a grammatical inaccuracy, produced by pass- 
ing from the third person to the second in the same sen- 
tence, and is at once the most natural consequence of 
transcendent ardor and the most unequivocal proof of 
unpremeditated excellence. When the sentence com- 
menced, " But, — ah, — him," it was evidently in the 
mind of the orator, to end by saying, " how shall I com- 
memorate him ?" But in the progress of the sentence, 
unconscious of the words, but inflamed with the thought; 
beholding, as he stood near the spot where the hero fell, 
his beloved and beautiful image rising up from beneath 
the sod, "with the rose of heaven upon his cheek, and 
the fire of liberty in his eye, — the blood of his gallant 
heart still pouring from his wound," — the vividness of 
liis imagination and the fervor of his patriotic sensibility 
no longer permit the rapt orator to speak of him; he 
must speak to him. Thenceforth he attempts not to tell 
his audience what Warren was, but seeing the martyr- 



52 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

patriot before him, on the spot where he perished, he 
portrays what immortal worth is. But the whole pas- 
sage should be quoted : — 

" Venerable men ! You have come down to us from 
a former generation. Heaven has bounteously length- 
ened out your lives, that you may behold this joyous 
day. You are now, where you stood fifty years ago, 
this very hour, with your brothers and your neighbors, 
shoulder to shoulder, in the strife for your country. Be- 
hold, how altered! The same heavens are indeed over 
your head ; the same ocean rolls at your feet ; but all 
else, how changed ! You hear now no roar of hostile 
cannon. You see no mixed volumes of smoke and 
flame rising from burning Charlestown. The ground 
strewed with the dead and dying; the impetuous 
charge ; the steady and successful repulse ; the loud call 
to repeated assault; the summonino; of all that is manly 
to repeated resistance; a thousand bosoms freely and 
fearlesslv bared in an instant to whatever of terror there 
may be in war and death ; — all these you have witnessed, 
but you witness them no more. All is peace. The 
heights of yonder metropolis, its towers and roofs, which 
you then saw filled with wives and children, and country- 
men in distress and terror, and looking with unutterable , 
emotions for the issue of the combat, have presented 
you to-day with the sight of its whole happy population, 
come out to welcome and greet you, with an universal 
jubilee. Yonder proud ships, by a felicity of position, 
appropriately lying at the foot of this mount, and seem- 
ing fondly to cling around it, are not means of annoy- 
ance to you, but your country's own means of distinc- 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 53 

tion and defence. All is peace ; and God has granted 
you this sight of your country's happiness, ere you 
slumber in the grave for ever. He has allowed you to 
behold and to partake the reward of your patriotic toils : 
and he has allowed us, your sons and countrymen, to 
meet you here, and in the name of the present genera- 
tion, in the name of your country, in the name of liberty, 
to thank vou ! 

" But, alas, you are not all here ! Time and the sword 
have thinned your ranks. Prescott, Putnam, Stark, 
Brooks, Read, Pomeroy, Bridge ! Our eyes seek for you 
in vain amidst this broken band. You are gathered to 
your fathers, and live only to your country in her grate- 
ful remembrance, and your own bright example. But 
let us not too much grieve, that you have met the com- 
mon fate of men. You lived, at least, long enough to 
know that your work had been nobly and successfully 
accomplished. You lived to see your country's inde- 
pendence established, and to sheathe your swords from 
war. On the light of Liberty you saw arise the light of 
Peace, like 

' another morn, 
Risen on mid-noon ;' — 

and the sky on which you closed your eyes was 
cloudless. 

" But — ah ! — Him ! the first great Martyr in this great 
cause ! Him ! the premature victim of his own self- 
devoting heart! Him! the head of our civil councils, 
and the destined leader of our military bands ; whom 
nothing brought hither, but the unquenchable fire of his 



N 



54 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

own spirit; Him! cut off by Providence, in the hour of 
overwhelming anxiety and thick gloom ; falling ere he saw 
the star of his country rise ; pouring out his generous 
blood, like water, before he knew whether it would fer- 
tilize a land of freedom or of bondage ! how shall I 
struggle with the emotions, that stifle the utterance of 
thy name ! — Our poor work may perish ; but thine shall 
endure ! This monument may moulder away ; the solid 
ground it rests upon may sink down to a level with the 
sea; but thy memory shall not fail! Wheresoever 
among men a heart shall be found, that beats to the 
transports of patriotism and liberty, its aspirations shall 
be to claim kindred with thy spirit!" 

This patriotic ardor, as Mr. Whipple finely remarks, 
has given intensity to the purposes of the great states- 
man of New England, and lent the richest glow to his 
genius. " It has made his eloquence a language of the 
heart ; felt and understood over every portion of the 
land it consecrates. On Plymouth Rock, on Bunker 
Hill, at Mount Vernon, by the tombs of Hamilton, and 
Adams, and Jefferson, and Jay, we are reminded of 
Daniel Webster. He has done what no national poet 
has yet succeeded in doing, — associated his own great 
genius with all in our country's history and scenery, 
which makes us rejoice that we are Americans. He has 
made the dead past a living present. Over all those 
events in our history which are heroical, he has cast the 
hues of strong feeling and vivid imagination. He can- 
not stand on one spot of ground, hallowed by liberty 
or religion, without being kindled by the genius of 
the place ; he cannot mention a name, consecrated by 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 55 

self-devotion and patriotism, without doing it eloquent 
homage. Seeing clearly, and feeling deeply, he makes 
us see and feel with him. 
"That scene of the landing of the Pilgrims, in which 
his imagination conjures up the forms and emotions of 
our New England ancestry, will ever live in the national 
memory. We see with him, the ' little, bark with the 
interesting group on its deck, make its slow progress to 
the shore.' We feel, with him, 'the cold which be- 
numbed,' and listen with him, ' to the winds which 
pierced them.' Carver, and Bradford, and Stand ish, and 
Brewster, and Allerton, look out upon us from the pic- 
tured page, in all the dignity with which virtue and free- 
dom invest their martyrs; and we see, too, ' chilled and 
shivering childhood, houseless but for a mother's arms, 
couchless but for a mother's breast, till our own blood j 
almost freezes.' 

" The readiness with which the orator compels our 
sympathies to follow his own, is again illustrated in the 
orations at Bunker Hill, and in the discourse in honor 
of Adams and Jefferson. In reading them, we feel 
proud of our country, and of the great men and great 
principles it has cherished. The mind feels an unwont- 
ed elevation, and the heart is stirred with emotions of 
more than common depth, by their majesty and power. 
Some passages are so graphic and true, that they seem 
gifted with a voice, and to speak to us from the page 
they illumine. The intensity of feeling with which they 
are pervaded, rises at times with confident hope to 
prophecy, and lifts the soul as with wings. In that splen- 
did close to a remarkable passage in the oration on 



56 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Adams and Jefferson, what American does not feel as- 
sured, with the orator, that their fame will be immortal ?" 

" Although no sculptured marble should rise to their 
memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, 
yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land 
they honored. Marble columns may, indeed, moulder 
into dust, time may erase all impress from the crumbling 
stone, but their fame remains ; for with American lib- 
erty it rose, and with American liberty only can it per- 
ish. It was the last swelling peal of yonder choir, ' their 
bodies are buried in peace, but their name liveth ever- 
more.' I catch that solemn song, I echo that lofty strain 
of funeral triumph, ' their name liveth evermore.'" 

In reviewing the mental traits and oratorical produc- 
tions of Mr. Webster, we think that in his eloquence 
there are three distinct styles, — the narrative, the sena- 
torial, and the impassioned. The first is a slow, delibe- 
rate manner, employed in stating simple facts, or plain 
argument ; like an admirable reader, distinct and forcible, 
but with no display of excited elocution. This is ex- 
ceedingly beautiful, because it is the nearest approach to 
sublimity of character, expressed in pure form, independ- 
ent of all passion or emotion. " Slow seems their speed 
whose thoughts before them run." 

His second style, is when he is interested in the dis- 
cussion of some important subject, in the forum of high 
debate, where by the action of his own aroused mind 
in conflict with powerful antagonists, he has become 
warmed and animated. His elocution as well as his 
reasoning then is often magnificent, presenting alto- 
gether his best and most powerful manner. Under 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 57 

ordinary circumstances, Mr. Webster may truly say, 
" My mind my kingdom is," and to the most casual eye, 
he seems born " to set a throne or chair of state in the 
understandings of other men." But when popular pas- 
sions are furiously aroused, and the bravest champions 
tremble before the deepening storm, he becomes the 
more serenely self-possessed, and, in the unfoldings of 
native grandeur, instinctively assumes a look of calm, 
unalterable energy, " above all pain, all passion, and all 
pride." Such was his appearance at the opening of 
the great Nullification debate, when he stood erect and 
fearless in the general consternation, invincibly armed 
from head to foot, to defend the Constitution which fled 
to him for shelter, and palpitated in his breast. 

The greatest effect ever produced by a consum- 
mate orator is achieved ]^y his preserving the aspect and 
advantage of repose amidst the tempest in which he is 
involved, showing that he is at the same time master of 
the stormy elements which agitate others and swell within 
himself. This is not the repose of inanition or irresolu- 
tion, but the repose of magnificent energy disciplined to 
the most practical use by self-possession. It produces the 
consciousness of duty performed, when evils are eradicat- 
ed and victory won, is most diligent in slaying the worst 
monsters, and stands at length embodied before the 
world in Hercules leaning on his club. 

Many collisions and conquests at the Capitol of this 
nation, justify the allusion here made. Therein Mr. 
Webster has repeatedly manifested a grasp and potency 
of mind which, we think, are found in no other living 
orator in the new world or old. On occasions of the 
3* 



58 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

highest forensic gladiatorship, there is in him, such an 
impressiveness of countenance, such startUng intonations 
of voice, such depth of argument, lucid and palpable to 
every entranced faculty of the spell-bound audience, 
that eloquence seems magical and persuasive to a degree 
the most divine. The care taken before-hand, skillfully 
to construct the plan of attack, and arrange in order his 
diversified forces, adds calmest confidence to the deli- 
berate execution and all the more certainly insures ulti- 
mate success ; as Napoleon gained the battle of to-mor- 
row by spending a sleepless night himself, in projecting 
his plans before the bivouac fire, while he sent his army 
to sound repose, well clad, and full of good bread and 
wine. His arguments, like the Grecian phalanx, are in 
close array, each one firmly wedged in between its com- 
panions ; so that the defensive points of his logic, like 
their spears, present a front impenetrable to all attacks. 
Each subordinate topic is a link whereby the chain of 
his thoughts is connected, the articulations of the body 
of his argument, without which it would be stiff, lame 
and ungainly. 

" All things within it 
Are so digested, fitted and composed 
As it shows Wit had married Order." 

A noble simplicity and spontaneous force are the char- 
acteristic features of Mr. Webster's eloquence; and 
hence, though colors fade, and language in time becomes 
obsolete, the chasteness of its form, and substance of im- 
mortal thought can never decay. His ordinary delivery 
is not the rushing torrent of impetuous declamation. 



*f. 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 59 

foaming and upturning everything in its course, but the 
calm and grand flow of a noble, unimpeded stream. By 
this, it is not meant that our orator is never excited in 
his higher efforts, — no man is more so. But his excite- 
ment does not so much embody the idea of physical vio- 
lence, as latent power. Veins may be seen in the breast 
of a god, for centuries one of the glories of the Parthe- 
non, and now in the British Museum. This is by no 
means absurd, but highly natural. Phidias did not think 
of deifying a hero by depriving him of his essential hu- 
man characteristics ; and blood is as requisite to invin- 
cible force as muscle, bone as mind. The osseous sys- 
tem is undoubtedly the foundation of all highly organized 
forms, consolidating and defining the particular shape, 
but is of itself by no means the perfected being. It is 
far from producing the rounded symmetry, and graceful 
finish, which, as the veil and integument of an exalted 
organization, we call beauty. Webster, first of all,. is 
most careful with respect to the basis of his argument ; 
but when he has firmly secured all that is fundamental, 
he is far from being indifferent to whatever is judiciously 
decorative. He combines in himself not only the bone 
and muscle of mighty argument, but he has also its 
throbbing flesh and bounding blood. He is excited, but 
never distorted, and in this respect, he, of all moderns, 
most strikingly resembles the best models .of classical 
antiquity. The Apollo is animated ; the Niobe is ab- 
sorbed ; the Warrior of Agasias is excited ; the dying 
Gladiator is depressed ; the Laocoon is convulsed ; but 
in all this variety of exhilaration or suffering, there is a 
power of self-control manifest and supreme. Even 



00 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

when passion or anguish becomes too big for utterance 
the wisdom of the ancients borrowed a feature of tran- 
quilhty, though not its air. Minds of the order we are 
now considering, always require great stimulus to deve- 
lop their best energies, and are most luminous when 
most exalted. 

" The clouds which hide 
The mental mountains rising nighest Heaven, 
Are full of finest lightning, and a breath 
Can give those gathered shadows fearful life, 
And launch their light in thunder o'er the world." 

We have spoken of Mr. Webster's narrative style, 
and of his more exalted forensic manner ; it remains, in 
conclusion, to notice a third style, sometimes exempli- 
fied by him, but as unlike the two former as it is possi- 
ble to conceive. This is seen in him when exasperated 
by the conduct of others, or by something ungenerous 
and impertinent which has been drawn into the debate. 
He then is exceedingly rapid in utterance, and violent in 
action ; pours forth a torrent of words, on a high key, 
and with sharp, shrill emphasis, like the percussion of 
small arms. Now deadly pale with emotion, and anon 
flushed with deep crimson to the topmost bend of his 
awful brows, with tones that are the more impressive 
from a slight trembling of proud scorn, enforced by a 
visage all inflamed, he hurls defiance at his foes. Then 
those indescribable eye-balls of his become terrible in 
their expression, matched only by the compressed lips 
and impending temples, all combined in suggesting un- 
speakable contempt, and "Revolving lightnings like a 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 61 

world on fire." This, however, is the exception rather than 
the rule with our orator, and is seen when he not only 
convinces, but overpowers and oppresses the hearer. 
This latter style completes a happy variety of manner, 
suited to every kind of subject, every class of adver- 
saries, every frame of mind, and undoubtedly is one 
great secret of his unequalled power, since the mode 
of his address, always springs naturally out of the sub- 
ject or occasion, and is most effective because it is 
never assumed. Eloquent discourse is the convey- 
ing thoughts in language which most resembles 
things ; the more perfect the thing represented, the 
more impressive will be the thought conveyed. Mr. 
Webster is superlatively eloquent in his happier 
inspirations, because his outward excitement is ex- 
actly proportioned to the inward ; if he is not aroused 
by the action of the subject on his own soul, no audience 
in the world can inflame him, and when he is really im- 
passioned, it is ever with natural fire and no mortal 
powers can withstand the fury of its blaze. His imagi- 
nation permeates and energizes the indomitable arms of 
his logic, as the poetry of Cromwell lay only in his facts 
and in his sword. Close, firm, and irresistibly argu- 
mentative, the substance of his speech is luminous 
truth, and his habitual style deep and grave, like history 
inscribed on monuments. 

riiny says that Aristonidas, the Theban, mixed 
metals with the materials of his art ; and Alcon formed 
a Hercules of iron, to express the strength and dura- 
bility of the god. Such, we think, is the character of 
Mr. Webster's mind. His reasonings are more the 



62 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

exertions of study than the effects of impulse. A severe 
and learned simplicity is his most natural tone, in the 
exercise of which he breathes and creates the graceful 
majesty of the antique. Disproportion of parts may be 
an element of hugeness, but only as connected with 
elaborated proportion docs true grandeur exist. Egyp- 
tian architecture is huge, but the Grecian, alone, is 
grand. Eloquence of the Websterian order is not 
something hollow and artificial, but firm and natural ; 
an etherial and invincible essence, developed in sincere 
belief and fervid feelings, and which no conventional 
rules can either analyze, estimate, or produce. The 
peculiar breadth and potency of his style resembles the 
movement of a mighty sea ; waves arise, approach, and 
break on the shore, but in their rise and fall, emerging 
and bursting into spray, perpetually impress the spec- 
tator with the image of that omnipotent hand that 
rouses, impels, and yet controls them. As the two 
greatest artists that ever lived, Phidias and Michael An- 
gelo, were painters as well as sculptors, they combined 
in their best productions the highest measure of force 
and most perfect knowledge of effect ; thus in magnifi- 
cence of conception, and poetry of character, in a 
happy selection of subject, and fearless execution of 
hand, they remain, to all the world, unsurpassed. Pre- 
cisely of the same stamp is the mind of Daniel Webster. 
Nothing in nature, art, history, philosophy, or morals, is 
foreign to his clear and comprehensive design ; every 
department of knowledge, mastered by a long and stu- 
dious life, is made to contribute a beam of truth to the 
torch which he grasps like a giant, and holds forth to 



DANIEL WEBSTER. 63 

irradiate the course of his demonstration, at the same 
time consummating oratorical excellence and unequalled 
statesmanship. 

An intelligent English traveller has recorded the fol- 
lowing personal sketch : — 

" The forehead of Mr. Webster is high, broad, and 
advancing. The cavity beneath the eyebrow is remark- 
ably large. The eye is deeply set, but full, dark, and 
penetrating in the highest degree ; the nose prominent 
and well defined ; the mouth marked by that rigid com- 
pression of the lips by which the New Englanders are 
distinguished. When Mr. Webster's countenance is in 
repose, its expression struck me as cold and forbidding, 
but in conversation it lightens up ; and when he smiles, 
the whole impression it communicates is at once 
changed. His voice is clear, sharp, and firm, without 
much variety of modulation ; but when animated, it 
rings on the ear like a clarion." 

To this we may add the remark of another observer, 
touching his sense of personal propriety: — "Mr. Web- 
ster never appears before an audience without a due 
preparation. The habits of his mind partake of those in 
respect to his person. On all occasions when he is to 
be the chief speaker, he is carefully and tastefully 
dressed. I have seen him often in the U. S. Senate, 
and in the Court of the Supreme Judicial Tribunal — a 
glance at his person is sufficient to indicate whether or 
not he is to speak. A blue coat and buflf vest, similar 
to that worn by Mr. Fox in Parliament, is his favorite 
dress for great occasions in the Senate ; a black suit is 
chosen for the bar." 



64 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

The great writer, statesman, patriot, and orator, whom 
we have thus considered, is now in the zenith of his 
fame and strength. Painting has never done justice to 
his massy figure and impressive features, nor has lan- 
guage yet adequately portrayed his extraordinary elo- 
quence. There is a Doric substantiability about all his 
person, inimitable and unwasting, a loftiness of character 
in harmony with the divinest art, and which sculpture 
alone can fitly express. In coming centuries his noble 
form, wrought by kindred genius in speaking marble, 
towering from a colossal base of New England granite, 
and draped in that simple majesty which commands the 
admiring world, will rise to meet the sun in his coming ; 
the earliest light of the morning shall gild it, and the 
parting day of American freedom " linger and play on 
its summit." 



CHAPTER 11. 



EDWARD EYEEETT, 

THE RHETORICIAN. 

A RIPE scholar, graceful speaker, and consummate 
master of rhetorical art, is Edward Everett, of Massa- 
chusetts. Before the illustration of these points, we 
will present a few historical statements. 

He was born in Dorchester, Norfolk County, on the 
11th of April, 1794. Edward was the fourth in a family 
of eight children, and lost his father, a highly respecta- 
ble clergyman, when he was but eight years old. His ' 
education, till he was thirteen years of age, was ob- 
tained almost exclusively at the public schools in Dor- 
chester and Boston, to which latter place the family 
removed after his father's decease. In the Academy, at 
Exeter, N. H., under the tuition of Dr. Abbott, he com- 
pleted his preparation for college. He entered Harvard 
University in August, 1807, and graduated in 1811, 
with the highest honors of his class. 

Under the influence and instruction of Rev. J. S. 
Buckminster and President Kirkland, he was induced 
to select the profession of theology. In 1812 he was | 
appointed I^atin tutor ic the University. In the I 



66 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

autumn of 1813, being then less than nineteen years 
of age, he was settled, as the successor of Buckminster, 
over the Brattle Street Church, in Boston. In addition 

\ to the ordinary duties of the ministry, he WTOte and pub- 
lished a Defence of Christianity, which was regarded as 
an elaborate and able work. 

Having been appointed by the Corporation and Over- 
seers of Harvard University, Professor of Greek Litera- 
ture, he obtained a dismission from his congregation, 
and assumed his new functions at Cambridge, when 
under twenty-one years of age. To improve his health, 
and perfect his qualifications for the chair to which he 

\ had been called, he was permitted and enabled, by the 
corporation, to travel in Europe, and to reside some 
time at the principal foreign universities. 

He embarked from' Boston in the spring of 1815, im- 
mediately after the conclusion of peace with Great 
Britain. On arriving in Liverpool, he heard of the 
escape of Napoleon from Elba, and was in London 
when the battle of Waterloo was fought. From Eng- 
land he went to Germany, passed a few days at Rotter- 
dam, Amsterdam, Leyden, and the other Dutch cities, 
and proceeded through Westphalia to Gottingen, in the 
kingdom of Hanover. 

At this most celebrated German University he spent 
I two years in assiduous study, and employed the vaca- 
tions in excursions to the principal cities and universi- 
ties of the North. 

The winter of 1817 he spent in Paris, acquiring the 

V Italian and modern Greek languages. Here he enjoyed 

the society of many eminent men, and acquainted him- 



EDWARD EVERETT. 67 

self with several new branches of knowledge. In 1818, 
he again visited England, spent some time at Oxford an.d 
Cambridge, made excursions to Wales and the Lakes, 
Edinburgh, and the Highlands, passed a few days with 
Sir Walter, at Abbotsford, and became acquainted with 
Dugald Stewart, as well as with many other distin- 
guished characters of England and Scotland. 

Jn the autumn of 1818, he returned to France, and 
proceeded to Switzerland and Italy. He passed by the 
way of Lyons, Geneva, Chamouni, and the glaciers of 
Mont Blanc ; made a circuit through Lausanne, Berne, 
Lucerne, Altdorf, and the Valais; crossed the Simplon 
to Milan ; went through Lombardy to Venice, and then 
back over the Appenines to Florence. The winter was 
spent in Rome, in antiquarian research, and converse 
with distinguished men. 

In the spring of 1819, he went to Naples ; and after 
visiting the most interesting localities in that vicinity, 
crossed over to Bari, on the Adriatic ; and thence tra- 
velled on horseback by the way of Lecce to Otranto. 
Thence he took passage to Corfu, and the coast of Al- 
bania. Bearing letters to Ali Pacha from Lord Byron, 
he was received by that famous chieftain, at Yanina, 
with great kindness. Crossing Mount Pindus, and 
going north as far as the Vale of Tempe, he returned 
through Thessaly to Thermopylae, passing by Pharsalia, 
over Mount Parnassus to Delphi, Thebes, and Athens. 
He then made an excursion over the Isthmus of Co- 
rinth to Sparta, and returning to the north, embarked in 
the Gulf of Volo for the Dardanelles, visiting the site of 
Troy and Constantinople. 



I 



68 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

In June, 1819, he passed the Balkan Mountains, and 
crossing the Danube at Nicopol, went through Wal- 
lachia to Bucharest, and entered Austria through the 
great pass in the Carpathian Mountains. After spend- 
ing some time at Vienna, he traversed Austria, the 
Tyrol, and Bavaria. Returning by the way of Paris and 
London, he took passage for America, September, 1819. 
The record from which we have condensed the above 
sketch, says, that the w^hole time spent by Mr. Everett, 
in his travels and studies in Europe and Asia, was 
nearly four years and seven months. 

Having thus briefly indicated the fullness and variety 
of classical attainment received by Mr. Everett, pre- 
paratory to the duties of his Professorship at Cambridge, 
we now proceed more particularly to notice his literary 
career at home. 

Near the close of 1819, he was solicited to assume 
the editorial charge of the North American Review. 
Its number of subscribers, at that time, was inconsider- 
able, but a great change in its style and fortunes imme- 
diately took place. A new series commenced, in which 
the miscellaneous department was omitted, and the w^ork 
conformed throughout to the type of European publica- 
tions of the same character. Many of its numbers 
passed into a second and even a third edition. Under 
the administration of the new editor, its circulation in- 
creased with so much rapidity that it became necessary 
to reprint several editions of the first series, in order to 
supply the augmented demand for the whole. He gave 
it an American character and spirit, so that it com- 
manded not only the admiration and support of his own 



EDWARD EVERETT. 69 

countrymen, but the respectful regards of foreign critics 
and scholars. His editorship of this leading American 
Review continued four years ; but he has occasionally 
contributed to its pages ever since. 

The lectures on Greek literature, delivered by Mr. 
Everett to the students of Harvard University, says a 
literary friend, " are remembered with respectful grati- 
tude by all whose privilege it was to be connected with 
the college during his continuance in office there. At 
the same time he delivered two courses of lectures in 
Boston on ancient art, which, as well as his collegiate 
lectures, remain still unpublished. When, after having 
received such corrections and additions as his mature 
experience and leisure may enable him to bestow upon 
them, they shall be given to the world, those who heard 
them are confident that they will be regarded as one of 
the noblest contributions ever made to our literature. 

" While residing at Cambridge, he kept up a corres- 
pondence with his learned friends abroad, particularly 
with the scholars and patriots of Greece ; and by his 
zealous exertions did much to awaken the interest which, 
througliout the country, and in the halls of Congress, 
was expressed in behalf of that renowned people in their 
long and glorious struggle for liberty and independence. 
In the discharge of his duties as Professor at Cambridge 
he was faithful, constant, and eminently successful." 

The publications of Mr. Everett are numerous. 
His early theological work has been referred to. At a 
subsequent period, in addition to the eloquent, erudite, 
and patriotic articles which he contributed to the North 
American Review, and other periodicals, he prepared a 



\ 



\ 



70 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Greek crrammar and a Greek class book for the use of 
students, while Professor at Cambridge. His various 
orations we shall have occasion to refer to copiously 
under another head. 

We have spoken of Mr. Everett as a divine, and as a 
scholar; it remains, thirdly, to sketch his progress as a 
politician. In 1824, a vacancy occurred in the Con- 
gressional District to which Cambridge belongs ; and 
Mr. Everett was put in nomination to fill the place. To 
the astonishment of all, he w'as elected by a decisive 
majority. Contrary to his expectation at the time 
of accepting a nomination, it is said, his connection 
with the University, as an instructor, ceased on his 
election to Congress; but he was immediately chosen 
by the overseers as a member of their board. 

In December, 1825, Mr. Everett first entered upon 
his duties at Washington, and was re-elected for five 
successive Congresses by large majorities. His legisla- 
tive labors were numerous and effective. For ten vears 
continuously, he was on the committee of Foreign Af- 
fairs, and much of the time its chairman. Amons; the 
many reports which he drew up, that on the Panama 
mission occupies a conspicuous place. He collected all 
the facts and arguments in reference to that vexed 
qustion into a volume; and much of the credit for 
having fmally procured the final adjustment of our 
claims upon foreign powers for spoliation is undoubtedly 
due to him.. 

'' He was chairman of the Select Committee, during 
Mr. Adams' Presidency, on the Georgia controversy ; 
and always took a leading part, while in Congress, in 



EDWARD EVERETT. 71 

the efforts that were made to protect the Indians from 
injustice. In the spring of 1827 he addressed a series of 
letters to Mr. Canning on the subject of the colonial 
trade, which were extensively re-published. He always 
served on the Library Committee, and generally on 
that for the Public Buildings ; together with John Ser- 
geant, he constituted the minority on the famous Re- 
trenchment Committee. He drew the report for the 
Committee in favor of the heirs of Fulton. Toojether 
with Governor Ellsworth, of Connecticut, he constituted 
the minority of the Bank investigating Committee, 
which was despatched to Philadelphia, and wrote the 
minority report. He wrote the minority report of 
the Committee of Foreign Relations, in reference 
to the controversy with France, in the spring of 
1835; distinguished himself by the high ground he 
took on the subject in debate, and supplied, in the 
last clause of his report, the words of the resolu- 
tion unanimously passed, in reference to it, by the 
House of Representatives. He also, at the same ses- 
sion, prepared a statement on French spoliations prior 
to 1800, which was printed by order of the House." 

In the spring of 1835, Mr. Everett took his leave of 
the House of Representatives, having declined a re-elec- 
tion. On the election of Governor Davis to the Senate 
of the United States, in the same year, he became his 
successor in the gubernatorial office. In 1836, and again 
in 1837, he was re-elected to the same exalted functions. 
At a subsequent period he became the American Minister 
at the Court of St. James, which office he held for several 



72 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

years. On his return he was chosen President of Har- 
vard University, which station he has just resigned. 

Having viewed Mr. Everett as a student, divine, pro- 
fessor, and poHtician, let us now more deUberately con- 
template him as an orator. In this exalted sphere, he 
widely established his fame as early as 1824, when he 
delivered his oration before the Phi Beta Kappa Society 
at Cambridge. General Lafayette w$s among the au- 
ditors, to whom, at the close, he referred as follows : 

" Meantime, the years are rapidly passing away and 
gathering importance in their course. With the pre- 
sent year, will be completed the half century from that 
most important era in human history, the commence- 
ment of our revolutionary war. The jubilee of our na 
tional existence is at hand. The space of time that has 
elapsed since that momentous date, has laid down in the 
dust, which the blood of many of them had already hal- 
lowed, most of the great men to whom, under Provi- 
dence, we owe our national existence and privileges 
A few still survive among us, to reap the rich fruits of 
their labors and sufferings ; and one has yielded himself 
to the united voice of a people, and returned in his age, 
to receive the gratitude of the nation, to whom he de- 
voted his youth. It is recorded on the pages of Ameri- 
can histor}^ that when this friend of our country 
applied to our commissioners at Paris, in 1776, for a pas- 
sage in the finst ship they should despatch to America, 
they were obliged to answer him, (so low and abject was 
then our dear native land) that they possessed not the 
means nor the credit sufficient -for providing a single 
vessel, in all the ports of France. ' Then,' exclaimed the 



EDWARD EVERETT. 73 

youthful hero, ' I will provide my own ;' and it is a literal 
fact, that when all America was too poor to offer him 
so much as a passage to her shores, he left, in his tender 
youth, the bosom of home, of happiness, of wealth, of 
rank, to plunge in the dust and blood of our inauspicious 
struggle ! 

"' Welcome, friend of our fathers, to our shores ! Hap- 
py are our eyes that behold those venerable features. 
Enjoy a triumph such as never conqueror nor monarch 
enjoyed, the assurance that throughout America, there 
is not a bosom, which does not beat with joy and grati- 
tude at the sound of your name. You have already met 
and saluted, or will soon meet, the few that remain, of 
the ardent patriots, prudent counsellors, and brave war- 
riors, with whom you were associated in achieving our 
liberty. But you iiave looked round in vain for the faces 
of many, who would have lived years of pleasure on a day 
like this, with their old companion in arms and brother 
in peril. Lincoln, and Greene, and Knox, and Hamil- 
ton, are gone ; the heroes of Saratoga and Yorktown 
have fallen, before the only foe they could not meet. 
Above all, the first of heroes and of men, the friend of 
your youth, the more than friend of his country, rests in 
the bosom of the soil he redeemed. On the banks of 
his Potomac, he lies in glory and peace. You will re- 
visit the hospitable shades of Mount Vernon, but him 
whom you venerated as we did, you will not meet at its 
door. His voice of consolation, which reached you in 
the Austrian dungeons, cannot now break its silence, to 
bid you welcome to his own roof. But the grateful 
children of America will bid you welconro in his name 
4 



74 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Welcome, thrice welcome to our shores ; and whitherso- 
ever throughout the limits of the continent your course 
shall take you, the ear that hears you shall bless you, the 
eye that sees you shall bear witness to you, and every 
tongue exclaim, with heartfelt joy, welcome, welcome 
La Fayette!" 

Preparatory to a critical analysis of Mr. Everett's 
eloquence, we will select several specimens from his oc- 
casional addresses, exemplifying his imagination, his sen- 
sibility to patriotic associations, and his appreciation of 
exalted personal worth. In the first place, to illustrate 
his imagination, we will adduce examples from among 
his first and last orations. Near the close of his re- 
marks at Plymouth Rock, December 22d, 1824, Mr. 
Everett said : 

" Methinks I see it now, that one solitary, adventu- 
rous vessel, the Mayflower of a ibrlorn hope, freighted 
with the prospects of a future state, and bound across 
the unknown sea. I behold it pursuing, with a thousand 
misgivings, the uncertain, the tedious voyage. Suns 
rise and set, and weeks and months pass, and winter 
surprises them on the deep, but brings them not the 
sight of the wished-for shore. I see them now scantily 
supplied with provisions, crowded almost to suffocation 
in their ill-stored prison, delayed by calms, pursuing a 
circuitous route; — and now driven in fury before the 
raging tempest, on the high and giddy waves. The 
awful voice of the storm howls through the rigging. 
The laboring masts seem straining from their base ; — 
the dismal sound of the pumps is heard • — the ship leaps, 
as it were, madly, from billow to billow; — the ocean 



EDWARD EVERETT. 75 



I 



breaks, and settles with engulphing floods over the float- 
ing deck, and beats with deadening weight, against the 
staggered vessel. I see them, escaped from these perils, 
pursuing their all but desperate undertaking, and landed 
at last, after a five months' passage, on the ice-clad rocks 
of Plymouth, — weak and weary from the voyage, — 
poorly armed, scantily provisioned, depending on the 
charity of their ship-master for a draft of beer on board, 
(h'inking nothing but water on shore, — without shelter, 
— without means, — surrounded bv hostile tribes. Shut 
now the volume of history, and tell me, on any principle 
of human probability, what shall be the fate of this hand- 
ful of adventurers. Tell me, man of military science, 
in how many months were they all swept ofl* by the 
thirty savage tribes, enumerated within the early limits 
of New England ? Tell me, politician, how long did 
this shadow of a colony, on which your conventions 
and treaties had not smiled, languish * on the distant 
coast ?' Student of history, compare for me the baffled 
projects, the deserted settlements, the abandoned adven- 
tures, of other times, and find the parallel of this. Was 
it the winter's storm, beating upon the houseless heads 
of women and children; was it hard labor and spare 
meals ; — was it disease, — was it the tomahawk, — was it 
the deep malady of a blighted hope, a ruined enterprise, 
and a broken heart, aching in its last moments, at the 
recollection of the loved and left, beyond the sea ; was 
it some, or all of these united, that hurried this forsaken 
company to their melancholy fate? — And is it possible, 
that neither of these causes, that not all combined, were 
able to blast this bud of hope ? Is it possible, that from 



76 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

a beginning so feeble, so frail, so worthy, not so much of 
admiration as of pity, there has gone forth a progress so 
steady, a growth so wonderful, a reality so important, a 
promise yet to be fulfilled, so glorious ?" 

In the address delivered at Bloody Brook, in South 
Deerfield, Massachusetts, September 30, 1835, in com- 
memoration of the " Flower of Essex" who fell at that 
spot, in King Philip's war, September 18, (O. S.) 1675, 
Mr. Everett bea;an as follows : 

" Gathered in this temple not made with hands, to un- 
roll the venerable record of our father's history, let our 
first thoughts ascend to him, whose heavens are spread 
out, as a glorious canopy, above our heads. As our 
eyes look up to the everlasting hills which rise before us, 
let us remember that in the dark and eventful days we 
commemorate, the hand that lifted their eternal pillars 
to the clouds, was the sole stay and support of our afflicted 
sires. While we contemplate the lovely scene around 
us, — once covered with the gloomy forest and the tan- 
gled swamps, through which the victims of this day pur- 
sued their unsuspecting path to the field of slaughter, — 
let us bow in gratitude to Him, beneath whose paternal 
care a little one has become a thousand, and a small one 
a strong nation. Assembled under the shadow of this 
venerable tree, let us bear a thankful recollection, that 
at the period when its sturdy limbs which now spread 
over us, hung with nature's rich and verdant tapestry, 
were all folded up within the narrow compass of their 
seminal germ, — the thousand settlements of our beloved 
country, teeming with the life, energy, and power of 
prosperous millions, were struggling with unimagined 



EDWARD EVERETT. 77 

hardships for a doubtful existence, in a score of feeble 
plantations scattered through the hostile wilderness. 
Alas, it was not alone the genial showers, and the gentle 
dews, and the native richness of the soil, which nour- 
ished the growth of this stately tree. The sod from 
which it sprung, was moistened with the blood of brave 
men who fell for their country, and the ashes of peace- 
ful dwellings are mino;led with the consecrated earth. 
In like manner, it is not alone the wisdom and the cour- 
age, the piety and the virtue of our fathers, — not alone 
the prudence with which they laid the foundations of 
the State, to which we are indebted for its happy growth 
and all-pervading prosperity. No, we ought never to 
forget, we ought this day especially to remember, that 
it was in their sacrifices and trials, their heart-rending 
sorrows, their ever-renewed tribulations, their wander- 
ings, their conflicts, their wants and their woes, — that 
the corner-stone of our privileges and blessings was 
laid. 

"As I stand on this hallowed spot, my mind filled with 
the traditions of that disastrous day, surrounded by these 
enduring natural memorials, impressed with the touching 
ceremonies we have just witnessed, — the affecting inci- 
dents of the bloody scene crowd upon my imagination. 
This compact and prosperous village disappears, and a 
few scattered log cabins are seen, in the bosom of the 
primeval forest, clustering for protection around the 
rude block-house in the centre. A corn-field or two 
has been rescued from the all-surrounding wilderness, 
and here and there the yellow husks are heard to rustle 
in the breeze, that comes loaded with the mournful sighs 



78 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

of the melancholy pine woods. Beyond, the intermin- 
able forest spreads in every direction, the covert of the 
v^olf, of the rattle-snake, of the savage ; and between 
its gloomy copses, what is now a fertile and cultivated 
meadow, stretches out a dreary expanse of unreclaimed 
morass. I look, — I listen. All is still, — solemnly, — 
frightfully still. No voice of human activity or enjoy- 
ment breaks the dreary silence of nature, or mingles 
with the dirge of the woods and water-courses. All 
seems peaceful and still : — and yet there is a strange 
heaviness in the fall of the leaves in the wood that skirts 
the road ; there is an unnatural flitting in those shadows ; 
there is a plashing sound in the waters of that brook, 
which makes the flesh creep with horror. Hark ! it is 
the click of a gun-lock from that thicket ; — no, it is a 
pebble, that has dropped from the over-hanging cliff, 
upon the rock beneath. It is, it is the gleaming blade 
of a scalping-knife ; — no, it is a sun-beam thrown off 
from that dancing ripple. It is, it is the red feather of 
a savage chief, peeping from behind that maple tree ; — 
no, it is a leaf, which September has touched with her 
many-tinted pencil. And now a distant drum is heard ; 
yes, that is a sound of life, — conscious, proud life. A 
single fife breaks upon the ear, — a stirring strain. It is 
one of the marches, to which the stern warriors of 
Cromwell moved over the field at Naseby and Wor- 
cester. There are no loyal ears, to take offence at a 
puritanical march in a transatlantic forest ; and hard by, 
at Hadley, there is a grey-haired fugitive, who followed 
the cheering strain, at the head of his division in the 
army of the great usurper. The warlike note grows 



EDWARD EVERETT. 79 

louder ; I hear the tread of armed men : — but I run be- 
fore my story." 

The gentle order of imagination peculiar to Mr. 
Everett's mind, enables him to excel in picturesque 
description. A good specimen of history fancifully em- 
bellished is presented in his " Three Pictures of Boston :" 
" To understand the character of the commerce of our 
own city, we must not look merely at one point, but at 
the whole circuit of country, of which it is the business 
centre. We must not contemplate it only at this pre- 
sent moment of time, but we must bring before our 
imaginations, as in the shifting scenes of a diorama, at 
least three successive historical and topographical pic- 
tures ; and truly instructive 1 think it would be to see 
them delineated on canvas. We must survey the first 
of them in the company of the venerable John Win- 
throp, the founder of the State. Let us go up with him, 
on the day of his landing, the seventeenth of June, 1G30, 
to the heights of yonder peninsula, as yet without a 
name. Landward stretches a dismal forest ; seaward, a 
waste of waters, unspotted with a sail, except that of his 
own ship. At the foot of the hill you see the cabins of 
Walford and the Spragues, who — the latter a year be- 
fore, the former still earlier — had adventured to this spot, 
untenanted else by any child of civihzation. On the 
other side of the river lies Mr. Blackstone's farm. It 
comprises three goodly hills, converted by a spring-tide 
into three wood-crowned islets ; and it is mainly valued 
for a noble spring of fresh water, which gushes from the 
northern slope of one of these hills, and which furnished 
in the course of the summer, the motive for transferring 



80 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

the seat of the infant settlement. This shall be the first 
picture. 

" The second shall be contemplated from the same spot 
— the heights of Charlestown — on the same day, the 
eventful seventeenth of June, one hundred and forty 
years later, namely, in the year 1775. A terrific scene 
of war rages on the top of the hill. Wait for a favora- 
ble moment, when the volumes of fiery smoke roll 
away, and over the masts of that sixty-gun ship, whose 
batteries are blazing upon the hill, you behold Mr. 
Blackstone's farm changed to an ill-built town of about 
two thousand dwelling houses, mostly of wood ; with 
scarce any public buildings, but eight or nine churches, 
the old State House, and Faneuil Hall ; Roxbury be- 
yond, an insignificant village ; a vacant marsh in all 
the space now occupied by Cambridgeport and East 
Cambridge, by Chelsea and East Boston ; and beneath 
your feet the town of Charlestown, consisting in the 
morning of a line of about three hundred houses, wrap- 
ped in a sheet of flames at noon, and reduced at even 
tide to a heap of ashes. 

" But those fires are kindled on the ahar of liberty. 
American Independence is established. American 
Commerce smiles on the spot ; and now from the top of 
one of the triple hills of Mr. Blackstone's farm, a 
stately edifice arises, which seems to invite us as to an 
observatory. As we look down from this lofty structure, 
we behold the third picture — a crowded, busy scene 
We see beneath us a city containing eighty or ninety 
thousand inhabitants, and mainly built of brick and 
granite. Vessels of every description are moored at 



EDWARD EVERETT. 81 

the wharves. Long lines of commodious and even 
stately houses cover a space which, within the memory 
of man, was in a state of nature. Substantial blocks 
of warehouses and stores have forced their way to the 
channel. Faneuil Hall itself, the consecrated and un- 
changeable, has swelled to twice its original dimensions. 
Atheneums, hospitals, asylums, and infirmaries, adorn 
the streets. The school house rears its modest front in 
every quarter of the city, and sixty or seventy churches 
attest the children are content to walk in the good old 
ways of their fathers. Connected with the city by 
eight bridges, avenues, or ferries, you behold a range of 
towns most of them municipally distinct, but all of them 
in reality forming, with Boston, one vast metropolis, 
animated by one commercial life. Shading off from 
these, you see that most lovely back-ground, a succes- 
sion of happy settlements, spotted with villas, farm 
houses, and cottages ; united to Boston by a constant 
intercourse ; sustaining the capital from their fields and 
gardens, and prosperous in the reflux of the city's 
wealth. Of the social life included within this circuit, 
and of all that in times past has adorned and ennobled 
it, commercial industry has been an active element, and 
has exalted itself by an intimate association with every 
thing else we hold dear. Within this circuit what me- 
morials strike the eye ! — what recollections — what insti- 
tutions — what patriotic treasures and names that cannot 
die ! There lie the canonized precincts of Lexington 
and Concord ; there rise the sacred heights of Dorches- 
ter and Concord ; there is Harvard, the ancient and 
venerable, foster-child of public and private liberality 
4* 



82 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

in every part of the State ; to whose existence Charles- 
town gave the first impulse, to whose growth and use- 
fulness the opulence of Boston has at all times minis- 
tered with open hand. Still farther on than the eye can 
reach, four lines of communication by railroad and 
steam have within our own day united with the capital, 
by bands of iron, a still broader circuit of towns and 
villages. Hark to the voice of life and business which 
sounds along the lines ! While we speak, one of them 
is shooting onward to the illimitable West, and all are 
uniting with the other kindred enterprises, to form one 
harmonious and prosperous whole, in which town and 
country, agriculture and manufactures, labor and capital, 
art and nature — wrought and compacted into one grand 
system — are constantly gathering and diffusing, concen- 
trating and radiating the economical, the social, the 
moral blessings of a liberal and diffusive commerce." 

The second strong feature in the mind of Mr. 
Everett, is his acute sensibility to patriotic associations. 
He has developed this on several great historical occa- 
sions. For instance, on laying the corner-stone of the 
monument at Concord, Massachusetts, April 19, 1825, 
he described the utility of such memorials in the follow- 
ing eloquent strain : — 

" There is not a people on earth so abject, as to think 
that national courtesy requires them to hush up the tale 
of the glorious exploits of their fathers and countrymen. 
France is at peace with Austria and Prussia ; but she 
does not demolish her beautiful bridges, baptized with 
the names of the battle fields, where Napoleon annihi- 
lated their armies ; nor tear down the columns, moulten 



EDWARD EVERETT. 83 

out oi the heaps of their captured artillery. England 
is at peace with France and Spain, but does she sup- 
press the names of Trafalgar and the Nile ; does she 
overthrow the towers of Blenheim castle, eternal monu- 
ments of the disasters of France ; does she tear down 
from the rafters of her chapels, where they have for 
ages waved in triumph, consecrated to the God of bat- 
tles, the banners of Cressy and Agincourt ? — No ; she is 
wiser ; wiser, did I say ? she is truer, juster to the 
memory of her fathers and the spirit of her children. 
The national character, in some of its most important 
elements, must be formed, elevated, and strengthened 
from the materials which history presents. Are we to 
be eternally ringing the changes upon Marathon and 
Thermopylce ; and going back to find in obscure texts 
of Greek and Latin the great exemplars of patriotic 
virtue ? I rejoice that we can find them nearer home, 
in our own country, on our own soil ; — that strains of 
the noblest sentiment, that ever swelled in the breast of - 
man, are breathing to us out of every page of our 
country's history, in the native eloquence of our mother 
tongue ; — that the colonial and the provincial councils of 
America, exhibit to us models of the spirit and cha- 
racter, which gave Greece and Rome their name and 
their praise among the nation. Here we ought to go 
for our instruction ; — the lesson is plain, it is clear, it is 
applicable. When we go to ancient history, we are 
bewildered with the difference of manners and institu- 
tions. We are willing to pay our tribute of applause to 
the memory of Leonidas, who fell nobly for his country, 
in the face of the foe. But when we trace him to his 



84 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

home, we are confounded at the reflection, that the 
same Spartan heroism to which he sacrificed himself at 
Thermopylae, would have led him to tear his only child, 
it happened to be a sickly babe, — the very object for 
which all that is kind and good in man rise up to pleadj 
— from the bosom of its mother, and carry it out to be 
eaten by the wolves of Taygetus. We feel a glow of 
admiration at the heroisQi displayed at Marathon, by the 
ten thousand champions of invaded Greece ; but we 
cannot forget that the tenth part of the number were 
slaves, unchained from the work-shops and door-posts 
of their masters, to go and fight the battles of freedom. 
I do not mean that these examples are to destroy the 
interest with which we read the history of ancient times; 
they possibly increase that interest, by the singular con- 
trast they exhibit. But they do warn us, if we need 
the warning, to seek our great practical lessons of patri- 
otism at home ; out of the exploits and sacrifices, of 
which our own country is the theatre ; out of the cha- 
racters of our own fathei-s. Them we know, the high- 
souled, natural, unafiected, — the citizen heroes. We 
know what happy firesides they left for the cheerless 
camp. We know with what pacific habits they dared 
the perils of the field. There is no mystery, no ro- 
mance, no madness, under the name of chivalry, about 
them. It is all resolute, manly resistance, — for con- 
science' and liberty's sake, — not merely of an over- 
whelming power, but of all the force of long-rooted 
habits, and the native love of order and peace. 

" Above all, their blood calls to us from the soil which 
we tread ; it beats in our veins ; it cries to us, not 



EDWARD EVEIvETT. 85 

merely in the thrilling words of one of the first victims 
in the cause, — 'My sons scorn to be slaves;' — but it 
cries with a still more moving eloquence, — ' My sons, 
forget not vour fathers.' " 

On a like occasion, at Lexington, the 19th (20th) of 
April, 1835, he expressed himself in a similar strain : 

" And you, brave and patriotic men, whose ashes are 
gathered in this humble place of deposit, no time shall 
rob you of the well-deserved meed of praise ! You, too, 
perceived not less clearly than the more illustrious 
patriots whose spirit you caught, that the decisive hour 
had come. You felt with them that it could not, — 
must not be shunned. You had resolved it should not. 
Reasoning, remonstrance had been tried ; from your 
own town-meetings, from the pulpit, from beneath the 
arches of Faneuil Hall, every note of argument, of ap- 
peal, of adjuration, had sounded to the foot of the throne, 
and in vain. The wheels of destiny rolled on; the 
great design of Providence must be fulfilled; the issue 
must be nobly met, or basely shunned. Strange it seemed, 
inscrutable it was, that your remote and quiet village 
should be the chosen altar of the first great sacrifice. 
But so it was ; — the summons came and found you wait- 
ing ; and here in the centre of your dwelling places, 
within sight of the homes you were to enter no more, 
between the village church where your fathers wor- 
shipped, and the grave-yard where they lay at rest, 
bravely and meekly, like Christian heroes, you sealed 
the cause with your blood. Parker, Munroe, Hadley, the 
Harringtons, Muzzy, Brown : alas, ye cannot hear my 
words ; — no voice, but that of the archangel, shall pene- 



86 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

trate your urns ; but to the end of time your remem- 
brance shall be preserved ! To the end of time, the soil 
whereon ye fell is holy ; and shall be trod with rever- 
ence, while America has a name among the nations ! 

" And now ye are going to lie down beneath yon sim- 
ple stone, which marks the place of your mortal agony. 
Fit spot for your last repose ! 

Where should the soldier rest, but where he fell ! 

" For ages to come, the characters graven in the endu- 
ring marble shall tell the unadorned tale of your sacri- 
fice ; and ages after that stone itself has crumbled into 
dust, as inexpressive as yours, histoiy, — undying history, 
— shall transmit the record ! Aye, while the language 
we speak retains its meaning in the ears of men ; — 
while a sod of what is now the soil of America shall be 
tj-od by the foot of a freeman, your names and your 
memory shall be cherished!" 

Connected with Mr. Everett's imagination and re- 
fined sensibility to patriotic associations, is a third attri- 
bute yet more dignified ; it consists of a capacity and 
disposition to appreciate every form of exalted worth. 
Numerous instances might be adduced, but we shall 
quote only two or three. In his address before the Lit- 
erary Societies of Amherst College, August 25, 1835, 
he described the death of one great man, and the mental 
glories of several others, in the following eloquent style : 

" It is plain that Copernicus, like his great contempo- 
rary Columbus, though fully conscious of the boldness 
and the novelty of his doctrine, saw but a part of the 
changes it was to effect in science. After harboring in 



EDWARD EVERETT. 87 

his bosom for long, long years, that pernicious heresy, — 
the solar system, — he died on the day of the appearance 
of his book from the press. The closing scene of his 
life, with a little help from the imagination, would fur- 
nish a noble subject for an artist. For twenty-five years, 
he has resolved and matured in his mind, his system of 
the heavens. A natural mildness of disposition, border- 
ing on timidity, a reluctance to encounter controversy, 
and a dread of persecution, have led him to withhold his 
work from the press ; and to make known his system but 
to a few confidential disciples and friends. At length 
he draws near his end ; he is seventy-three years of 
age, and he yields his work on * the revolutions of the 
heavenly orbs' to his friends for publication. The day, 
at last, has come, on which it is to be ushered into the 
world. It is the twenty-fourth of May, 1543. On that 
day, — the eflfect, no doubt, of the intense excitement of 
his mind, operating upon an exhausted frame, — an effu- 
sion of blood brings him to the gates of the grave. 
His last hour has come ; he lies stretched upon the couch, 
from which he will never rise, in his apartment at the 
Canonry at Frauenberg, in East Prussia. The beams 
of the setting sun glance through the gothic windows of 
his chamber ; near his bed-side is the armillary sphere, 
which he has contrived, to represent his theory of the 
heavens, — his picture, painted by himself, the amuse- 
ment of his earlier years, hangs before him ; beneath it 
is his astrolabe and other imperfect astronomical instru- 
ments ; and around him are gathered his sorrowing disci- 
ples. The door of his apartmeni opens ; — the eye of 
the departing sage is turned to see who enters : it is a 



88 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

friend, who brings him the first printed copy of his im- 
mortal treatise. He knows that in that book he contra- 
dicts all that had ever been distinctly taught by former 
philosophers ; — he knows that he has rebelled against the 
sway of Ptolemy, which the scientific world had acknow- 
ledged for a thousand years ; — he knows that the popular 
mind will be shocked by his innovations ; — he knows, that 
the attempt will be made to press even religion into the 
service against him ; — but he knows that his book is true. 
He is dying, but he leaves a glorious truth, as his dying 
bequest, to the world. He bids the friend who has 
brought it, place himself between his window and his 
bed-side, that the sun's rays may fall upon the precious 
volume, and he may behold it once, before his eye grows 
dim. He looks upon it, takes it in his hands, presses it 
to his breast, and expires. But no, he is not wholly 
gone ! A smile lights up his dying countenance ; — a 
beam of returning intelligence kindles in his eye ; — his 
hps move ; — and the friend, who leans over him, can 
hear him faintly murmur the beautiful sentiments, which 
the Christian lyrist, of a later age, has so finely expressed 
in verse : — 

* Ye golden lamps of heaven, farewell, with all your feehle light I 
Farewell, thou ever-changing moon, pale empress of the night ! 
And thou, refulgent orb of day, in brighter flames arrayed, 
My soul, which springs beyond thy sphere, no more demands 

thy aid. 
Ye stars are but the shining dust of my divine abode, 
The pavements of those heavenly courts, where I shall reign 
wnth God.' 

" So died the great Columbus of the heavens. His 
doctrine, at first, for want of a general diffusion ot 



EDWARD EVERETT. 89 



* 



knowledge, forced its way with difficulty against the 
deep-rooted prejudices of the age. Tycho Brahe at- 
tempted to restore the absurdities of the Ptolemaic sys- 
tem ; but Kepler, with a sagacity, which more than 
atones for all his strange fancies, laid hold of the theory 
of Copernicus, with a grasp of iron, and dragged it into 
repute. Galileo turned his telescope to the heavens, and 
observed the phases of Venus, which Copernicus boldly 
predicted must be discovered, as his theory required 
their appearance ; and lastly Newton arose, like a glori- 
ous sun, scattering the mist of doubt and opposition, and 
ascended the heavens full orbed and cloudless, establish- 
ing at once his own renown and that of his predecessors, 
and crowned with the applauses of the world ; hut 
declaring, with that angelic modesty which marked his 
character, ' I do not know w^hat J may appear to the 
world ; but to myself I seem to have been only like a 
boy, playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in 
finding now and then a pebble, or prettier shell than or- 
dinary, while the great ocean of truth lay all undis- 
covered before me.' " 

But of all Mr. Everett's eloquent productions, the one 
most pertinent to the topic now under consideration, is 
his eulogy on Adams and Jefferson, delivered at Charles- 
town, August 1, 1826. In this he said: 

" The jubilee of America is turned into mourning. 
Its joy is mingled with sadness ; its silver trumpet 
breathes a mingled strain. Henceforward and for ever, 
while America exists among the nations of the earth, 
the first emotion on the Fourth of July, shall be of joy 
and triumph in the great event which immortalizes the 



90 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

day, — the second shall be one of chastised and tender 
recollection of the venerable men, who departed on the 
morning of the jubilee. This mingled emotion of 
triumph and sadness has sealed the moral beauty and 
sublimity of our great anniversary. In the simple com- 
memoration of a victorious political achievement, there 
seems not enough to occupy all our purest and best feel- 
ings. The fourth of July was before a day of unshaded 
triumph, exultation, and national pride ; but the angel 
of death has mingled in the all-glorious pageant, to teach 
us we are men. Had our venerated fathers left us on 
any other day, the day of the united departure of two 
such men would henceforward have been remembered 
but as a day of mourning. But now, while their de- 
cease has gently chastened the exultations of the 
triumphant festival ; the banner of independence will 
wave cheerfully over the spot where they repose. The 
whole nation feels, as with one heart, that since it must 
sooner or later have been bereaved of its revered 
fathers, it could not have wished that any other had 
been the day of their decease. Our anniversary festival 
was before triumphant; it is now triumphant and 
sacred. It before called out the young and ardent, to 
join in the public rejoicings; it now also speaks, in a 
touching voice, to the retired, to the grey-headed, to the 
mild and peaceful spirits, to the whole family of sober 
freemen. With some appeal of joy, of admiration, of 
tenderness, it henceforth addresses every American 
heart. It is henceforward, what the dying Adams pro- 
nounced it, a great and a good day. It is full of great- 
ness, and full of goodness. It is absolute and complete. 



EDWARD EVERETT. 91 

The death of the men, who declared our independence 
— their death on the day of the jubilee, was all that was 
wanting to the fourth of July. To die on that day, and 
to die together, was all that was wantino; to Jefferson 
and Adams. 

*' Think not, fellow citizens, that in the mere formal dis- 
charge of my duty this day, I would overrate the melan- 
choly interest of the great occasion. Heaven knows, I 
do anything but intentionally overrate it. I labor only 
for words, to do justice to your feelings and to mine. 
I can say nothing, which does not sound as cold, as 
tame, and as inadequate to myself as to you. The 
theme is too great and too surprising, the men are too 
great and good to be spoken of, in this cursory manner. 
There is too much- in the contemplation of their united 
characters, their services, the dav and coincidence of 
their death, to be properly described, or to be fully felt 
at once. I dare not come here and dismiss, in a few 
summary paragraphs, the characters of men, who have 
filled such a space in the history of their age. It would 
be a disrespectful familiarity with men of their lofty 
spirits, their rich endowments, their deep counsels, and 
wise measures, their long and honorable lives, to endea- 
vor thus to weigh and estiaiate them. I leave that 
arduous task, to the genius of kindred elevation, by 
whom to-morrow it will be dischari^ed.* I feel the 
mournful contrast in the fortunes of the first and best of 
men, that after a life in the highest walks of usefulness ; 
after conferring benefits, not merely on a neighborhood, 

* An Eulogy was delivered on Adams and Jeflerson, on the follow- 
ing day, in Faneuil Hall, by Daniel "Webster. 



92 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

a city, or even a state, but on a w^hole continent, and a 
posterity of kindred men ; after having stood in the 
first estimation for talents, services, and influence, 
among milHons of fellow citizens, a day should come, 
which closes all up; pronounces a brief blessing on their 
memory ; gives an hour to the actions of a crowded 
life ; describes in a sentence what it took years to bring 
to pass, and what is destined for years and ages to con- 
tinue and operate on posterity ; forces into a few words 
the riches of busy days of action and weary nights of 
meditation ; passes forgetfully over many traits of char- 
acter, many counsels and measures, which it cost per- 
haps years of discipline and effort to mature ; utters a 
funeral prayer ; chants a mournful anthem ; and then 
dismisses all into the dark chambers of death and 
forgetfulness. 

" But, no, fellow citizens, we dismiss them not to the 
chambers of forgetfulness and death. What we ad- 
mired, and prized, and venerated in them, caji never die, 
nor dying, be forgotten. I had almost said that they are 
now beginning to Hve ; to live that life of unimpaired 
influence, of' unclouded fame, of unmingled happiness, 
for which their talents and services were destined. 
They were of the select few, the least portion of whose 
life dwells in their physical existence ; whose hearts have 
watched, while their senses have slept ; whose- souls 
have grown up into a higher being ; whose pleasure is 
to be useful : whose w^ealth is an unblemished reputa- 
tion ; who respire the breath of honorable fame ; who 
have deliberately and consciously put what is called life 
to hazard, that they may live in the hearts of those who 



EDWARD EVERETT. 93 

come after. Such men do not, cannot die. To be cold, 
and motionless., and breathless ; to feel not and speak, 
not ; this is not the end of existence to the men who have 
breathed their spirits into the institutions of their coun- 
try, who have stamped their characters on the pillars of 
the age, who have poured their hearts' blood into the 
channels of the public prosperity. Tell me, ye, who 
tread the sods of yon sacred height, is Warren dead ? 
Can you not still see him, not pale and prostrate, the 
blood of his gallant heart pouring out of his ghastly 
wound, but moving resplendent over the field of honor, 
with the rose of heaven upon his cheek, and the fire of 
liberty in his eye ? Tell me, ye, who make your pious 
pilgrimage to the shades of Vernon, is Washington in- 
deed shut up in that cold and narrow house ? That 
which made these men, and men like these, cannot die. 
The hand that traced the charter of independence is 
indeed motionless, the eloquent lips that sustained it are 
hushed ; but the lofty spirits that conceived, resolved, 
matured, maintained it, and which alone to such men, 
* make it life to live,' these cannot expire ; — 

' These shall resist the empire of decay, 
When time is o'er, and worlds have passed away : 
Cold in the dust, the perished heart may lie, 
But that, which warmed it once^ can never die.' " 

Having presented the foregoing outlines of Mr. 
Everett's professional career, w^ith diversified extracts 
from his works to exemplify the more prominent traits 
of his mind, we come now to the more delicate task of 
projecting a specific analysis of his eloquence. We 



94 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

have endeavored to show v^hat he has been and is as a 
scholar, divine, professor, politician, and popular writer: 
it remains to inquire into his merits as an orator. If 
we mistake nat, they will be found to consist mainly in 
natural taste, cultivated talent, and consummate art. 

In the first place, it is evident that Mr. Everett was 
naturally endowed with acute and discriminating taste. 
This quality highly refined, and grace of conception, are 
among his best elements of oratorical character ; and, 
as we shall see in the sequel, these go hand in hand 
with elaborate execution and delicate finish. They are 
attributes both elegant and appropriate, " like to those 
hanging locks of young Apollo." 

He may have more of that taste which is skillful to 
use, than of the genius which is powerful to originate ; 
but this regulating faculty is doubtless of great value ; 
indeed, without it genius itself is but sublime madness. 
It is an attribute which, in its perfection, is as uncom- 
mon as it is useful ; since, as Chateaubriand remarks, 
" the sure touch which draws from the lyre the exact 
tone it ousfht to render, is more rare than even the fa- 
culty that creates." Talent and genius, diversely dif- 
fused, latent and unrecognized, as Montesquieu says, 
"frequently pass through us without unpacking," they 
exist in equal proportions in all ages, but in the course 
of those ages, it is only among certain natures, and at 
certain periods of time, that taste is developed in its 
purity. Before this period arrives, and after its conclu- 
sion, all will be imperfect tln'ougli deficiency or excess. 
Hence the reason why finished productions are so rare * 
for they must necessarily emanate from the happy union 



EDWARD EVERETT. 95 

of taste and genius. But this rare concurrence, like 
the concurrence of certain stars, seems to require the 
revolution of ages for its consummation, and then its 
duration is but momentary." 

Suppose a clear and gentle stream flowing through a 
cultivated glade, on a bed of the purest gravel; its bank 
generally smooth and level, sometimes indented and 
varied in height, but with all rudeness concealed by 
tufts of flowers, fragrant shrubs, elegant trees, and trail- 
ing plants hanging over the clear waters ; while all the 
delicious objects are rendered yet more soft and enchant- 
ing by the clear mirror that reflects them, like Milton's 
limped fountain in Paradise 

" Spread 
Into a liquid plain, then stood unmoved, 
Pure as the expanse of heaven :" 

and in such a picture we have a fair type of Mr. 
Everett's mind. Like all his faculties, his taste is doubt- 
less greatly indebted to intense and protracted cultiva- 
tion, but its latent source in his own bosom has always 
been open, flowing, and Dure. His earliest compositions 
were highly poetical in both spirit and form, and to this 
day everything from his pen is " veined with gold and 
dusted o'er with gems." Glancing back through all his 
brilliant career to its obscure beginning, he undoubt- 
edly may say : 

" Oh, I remember well ! 
When, like a sea-shell with its sea-born strain, 
My soul aye rang with music of tlie lyre ; 
And my heart shed its love as leaves their dew — 
A honey dew, and throve on what it shed." 



96 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Secondly, in addition to native taste, it is evident that 
Mr. Everett possesses a large measure of cultivated tal- 
ent. He is not only endowed by nature with great 
acuteness of mental perception and moral sensibility, but 
he has laboriously acquired that fidelity of hand which, 
aided by these powers, imparts precision, symmetry, and 
beauty to all his works. He is an illustrious instance 
showing what perseverance, study, observation and 
patronage can achieve to develop genius or supply its 
spontaneous worth. 

Hazlitt has said that great natural advantages are sel- 
dom combined with great acquired ones, because they 
render the labor requisite to attain the last superfluous 
and irksome. It is only necessary to be admired ; and 
if we are admired for the graces of our persons, we shall 
not be at much pains to adorn our minds. To substan- 
tiate this position, he adds^'that if Pope had been a beau- 
tiful youth, he would not have written the Rape of the 
Lock ; and that a beautiful woman, who has only to 
show herself to be admired ; and is famous by nature, 
will be in no danger of becoming a blue stocking, to at- 
tract notice by her learning, or to hide her defects. To 
this it may be replied that Milton was a beautiful youth, 
and yet he wrote Paradise Lost; moreover, that the 
greatest poets, artists, scholars and orators of every age, 
have been the most industrious in acquiring and compo- 
sing ; however brilliant their imaginations, however in- 
tense their capacities, or harmonious their expressions, 
it was the superior power of arranging their materials, 
which rendered their genius most useful to their fellow- 
beings. Without the lucidus ordo of Horace, the most 



EDWARD EVERETT. 97 

superb ideas are of little use to the world. " He hath 
no power, who hath no power to use," and this master- 
ship is acquired only by long practice. 

Not that labor alone can produce perfection. Industry 
will improve mediocrity, but can never elevate it to the 
highest excellence, by endowing it with the power to in- 
vent. Susceptibility to the beauty of expression, or the 
vivid portraiture of the passions, may be keenly felt by the 
spirit naturally of a delicate tone, but cannot be taught, 
even if the teacher were an angel from heaven. Still, 
we think it truly said above, that persons in every exalted 
sphere who are by native attributes best endowed, are 
generally the most industrious. No men are more con- 
scious of the weakness of human nature than they, and 
none feel more deeply that whatever their latent genius 
may be, nothing but the most incessant industry and 
application, can fully reveal it. For instance, to refer 
to an artist, whom our orator in many respects greatly 
resembles, Claude never left his pictures, or his studies 
on the banks of the Tiber, to go in search of meaner en- 
joyments, or ceased to gaze upon the glittering sunny 
vales and distant hills; and while his eye, naturally 
acute, became still better educated, vs^hile he scanned 
the clear sparkling hues and lovely forms of Nature, his 
liand delineated them on the lucid canvass in colors that 
seem destined never to decay. 

The career of IMr. Everett shows that while yet a 
youth, he comprehended and acted upon the great prin- 
ciple of Apelles — " Nulla dies sine lined ;"* and still more 
glorious maxim of Napoleon — " Une heure perdue est 

* Not a day without practice. 



98 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

une chance 'pour le rnalheur de V avenir."* Thus feel- 
ins: and acting, like all brave souls before him, he has 
demonstrated in his own person that no force of law, 
prejudice, or penury can arrest the predestined hero in 
his strenuous pursuit, or prevent him from gratifying 
his burning ambition to advance the divine art he was 
born to honor, and of which he is the impassioned 
devotee. To such a votary, excellence is truly " a rul- 
ing passion," and closes his eyes at night with aspira^ 
tions for ultimate success ; haunts his slumbers with 
dreams of unattained perfection, and flashes invincib'e 
energy on his brain at the dawn of every morning 
thought. It was under this influence that Shakspeare 
saw the ghost of a king: Puck put a girdle round about 
the earth in forty minutes ; Ariel drank the air before 
him ; Homer measured the gigantic stride of the shade 
of Achilles in hell, when Ulysses told him his son was 
worthy of his sire. It was when thus inspired, that 
blind Milton saw and portrayed the effulgent blaze of 
Satan, in the midst of his astonished council, after his 
success on earth ; Virgil that glorious vision of Minerva, 
shouting to the Greeks in the flames of Troy ; and 
Tasso that exquisite conception of the angel Gabriel 
tipping the hills as the sun arose with commingled hues 
of silver and gold. To attain the highest order of suc- 
cess, undoubtedly a stupendous power must be acquired, 
and all hut insurmountable anxieties, labors and strug- 
gles, must be overcome. But if the aspirant proceed 
humbly, and yet firmly, on his upward way, his reward 

* One hour idled away jeopardizes the happiness of all the 
future. 



EDWARD EVERETT. 99 

will be both sure and great, for his mind will become 
impregnated with power, and his hand fearless by prac- 
tice, so that glorious visions cannot rise more rapidly on 
his fancy than he will shower them with inspired pro- 
fusion on the enraptured hearts and understandings of 
mankind. 

Mr. Everett early began to " hold high converse with 
the mighty dead ;" and while he aimed to become a 
finished writer and effective public speaker, he under- 
stood what were the objects to be promoted, and the 
duties to be performed, in order to the complete attain- 
ment of the excellence he desired. He saw what pains 
were thought due by a Roman statesman and orator, to 
the acquisition of the art, as he read in his favorite au- 
thor, the following extract from De Claris Oratorihus : 

" The other chief orators of the day," says Cicero, 
"being then in the magistracy, were almost daily heard 
by me in their public discourses. Curio was then tribune 
of the people, but never spoke, having once been deserted 
by his audience in a mass. Quintus Metellus Celer, 
though not an orator, was not wholly unable to speak ; 
Varius, Carbo, and Pomponius were eloquent, and they 
were continually upon the rostrum. Caius Julius, also, 
the curule sedile, almost daily made a set speech. My 
passion for listening received its first disappointment 
when Cotta was banished ;,but in diligent attendance on 
the other orators, I not only devoted a part of each day 
to reading, writing, and discussing; but extended my 
studies beyond the exercises of oratory, to philosophy 
and the law. In the followins: vear, Varius was banished 
under his own law. In the study of the civil law, I em- 



100 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

ployed myself under Scaevola, who, although he did not 
fornnally receive pupils, was willing to admit those who 
desired it, to be present while he gave legal opinions to 
his clients. The next year, Sylla and Pompey were 
consuls, and I formed an intimate acquaintance with the 
whole art of public speaking, in listening to the daily 
harangues of the tribune Sulpicius. At the same time. 
Philo, the head of the academy, having, with the rest of 
the aristocracy of Athens, fled to Rome in the Mithrida- 
tic war, I gave myself wholly up to him and the study 
of philosophy, not merely from the delight I felt in the 
variety and magnitude of the subject, but because the 
career of judicial eloquence seemed for ever shut up. 
Sulpicius had fallen that year, and in the next, three other 
orators were most cruelly slain ; Catulus, Antony, and 
Julius. The same year, I employed myself under the 
direction of Molo the Rhodian, a consummate pleader 
and teacher. I mention these things, Brutus, although 
somewhat aside from our purpose, that you might, as 
you desired, become acquainted with my course, and 
perceive the manner in which I followed in the steps of 
Hortensius. For three years, the city had respite from 
war, but the orators were deceased, retired, or banished ; 
even Crassus and the two Lentuli were absent. Hor- 
tensius then took the lead as counsel ; Antistius daily 
rose in reputation ; Piso spol^ often. Pompon ius less 
frequently, Carbo rarely, Philippus once or twice. All 
this time, I was occupied day and night, in every kind of 
stud}^ I studied with the stoic Diodotus, who, after hav- 
ing long lived with me, lately died at my house. By 
him I was trained, among other things, in logic, itself a 



EDWARD EVERETT. 101 

kind of close and compendous eloquence, without which 
even you, Brutus, have admitted, that the true eloquence* 
wiiich is but expanded logic, cannot be acquired. With 
this teacher, in his numerous and various branches, I 
was so assiduous, that I did not miss a day in oratorical 
exercises. I had also a declamatory discussion, (to use 
the present phrase) with Piso often, and with Quintus 
Pompey, or some one else, every day. This was fre- 
quently in Latin, but oftener in Greek ; both because 
the Greek language, in itself more adapted to ornament, 
tended to form the habit of an elegant Latin manner, 
and because, unless I used the Greek language, I could 
neither receive instruction nor correction from eminent 
Greek teachers. Meantime followed the tumults for the 
restoration of the republic ; the cruel deaths of the three 
orators, Scaevola, Carbo, and Antistius ; the return of 
Cotta, Curio, Crassus, the Lentuli, and Pompey; the 
establishment of the laws and the tribunals ; in a word, 
the restoration of the Commonwealth. Of the orators, 
however, Pomponius, Censorinus, and Murena, perished. 
I then, for the first time, undertook the pleading both of 
public and private causes; not, as is commonly done, 
learning my profession in the practice of it, but, as far 
as I had been able to effect it, entering the forum 
with my profession learned. At the same time I 
studied under Molo, who had come to Rome, in Sylla's 
dictatorship, on business of the Rhodians. My first 
public cause, therefore, the defence of Sextus Roscius, 
was so commended, that there was none which I was not 
thought competent to undertake. Many causes were 



102 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

now put into my hands, which I brought into court, not 
merely diligently, but laboriously prepared. 

"And now, since you seem to wish to learn my 
history thoroughly, I will mention some things, which 
might otherwise seem unimportant. At this period, I 
labored under extreme emaciation and weakness of body ; 
my neck was long and slender, and my whole frame and 
constitution such as are usually thought to render the vio- 
lent exercise of the lungs fatal. This circumstance was 
matter of the greater anxiety to my friends, because I was 
in the habit of speaking everything on a high key, with 
out variety, with the utmost power of voice and exer- 
tion of my body. When, therefore, my friends and 
physicians advised me to abandon pleading, I determined 
to encounter any danger, rather than give up the re- 
nown which I hoped to acquire as an orator. Having, 
however, come to the conclusion, that by reducing and 
managing the voice, and changing my mode of speaking, 
I could escape the impending danger, I determined, for 
the sake of altering my manner, to visit Asia. Accord- 
ingly, after having been two years in the practice of 
my profession, and acquiring a standing in the forum, I 
left Rome. When I came to Athens, I devoted myself 
six months, under Antiochus, a most noble and prudent 
sage of the old academy, to the study of philosophy, a 
study which I had early cultivated, had never lost sight 
of, and now renewed under this admirable teacher. At 
the same time, however, I practised speaking diligently, 
under Demetrius, the Syrian, an experienced and re- 
spectable teacher of the art. I afterwards made the 
tour of Asia, with orators of the first celebrity, under 



EDWARD EVERETT. 103 

whom, with their full assent, I regularly exercised 
myself in speaking. The chief of these was Menippus 
of Stratonice, in my opinion the most eloquent Asiatic 
orator of his time, and, if to be free from everything 
offensive or impertinent be the test of Atticism, not 
unworthy to be reckoned among Attic orators. I was, 
also constantly with Dionysius, of Magnesia, iEschylus, of 
Enidus, and Xenocles, of Adramyttium; the principal 
rhetoricians at that time in Asia. Not satisfied with 
these, I repaired to Rhodes, and applied myself to Milo, 
who had instructed me at Rome, who was not only a 
pleader himself, in real causes, and an eminent writer, 
but most discreet in remarking and correcting faults as 
an instructor. He exerted himself, as far as possible, to 
reduce my manner, redundant as it was, and overflow- 
ing with juvenile license and excess ; and sought to 
bring it within proper limits. After spending two years 
in this way, I returned, not merely trained, but altered. 
The extreme effort of my voice in speaking was 
reduced. My style had become temperate, my lungs 
strong, and my general health tolerable." 

The above description bears a strong resemblance to 
the taste and studies of the American Cicero, in his 
early days, and vividly portrays the maturity which he, 
too, attained by means of his European and Asiatic tour. 

We come now, in the third place, to consider the 
consummate art which Mr. Everett displays in all his 
eloquence, written or spoken. His personal appearance 
in public is exceedingly neat, appropriate and conciliat- 
ing. Everything about him is so well arranged that, 
although an edging of silver marks his hair, and mantles 



104 LIVING ORATOKS IN AMERICA. 

his pensive brow, one cannot but feel that he has not 
yet entirely dismissed his Lothario recollections. The 
moment he rises to speak, it is easy to perceive that he 
is an accomplished gentleman ; and before he has 
uttered many sentences, the intelligent hearer is equally 
convinced that he is an accomplished orator. His 
voice and placid manner of delivery are in harmony 
with the mild character of his sentiments. A calm 
richness pervades his style, by means of which he soon 
throws a spell over the hearts of listeners, leading them 
inwardly to exclaim, 

"Thy talk is the sweet extract of all speech, 
And holds mine ear in blissful slavery." 

Mr. Everett's originality is evinced less in the vio- 
lent outbursts of rugged and irrepressible affluence, than 
in his artistic power over materials deliberately gathered 
— in his calm command over the resources of language, 
and in the suavity of his style, which is seldom surpassed. 
It is not congenial for him to be severe — his good taste 
and labored care will still be manifest. Witness the 
following memorable extract. Some one in the London 
Quarterly Review, for January, 1828, had slurringly in- 
timated that the first emigrants to America were crimi- 
nals in character, and mercenary in design. To this 
Mr. Everett replied : 

" A late English writer has permitted himself to say, 
that the original inhabitants of the United States, and 
that of the colony of Botany Bay, were pretty nearly 
modelled on the same plan. The meaning of this slan- 
derous insinuation is, that the United States were settled 



EDWARD EVERETT. 105 

by deported convicts, in fike manner as New South 
Wales has been settled by felons, whose punishment by 
death has been commuted into transportation. It is 
doubtless true, that at one period, the English govern- 
ment was in the habit of condemning to hard labor as 
servants in the colonies, a portion of those who had re- 
ceived the sentence of the law\ If this practice makes 
it proper to compare America with Botany Bay, the 
same comparison might be made of England herself, 
before the practice of transportation began, and even 
now ; inasmuch as a large portion of her convicts are 
held to labor within her own bosom. In one sense, 
indeed, we might doubt whether the allegation were 
more of a reproach or a compliment. During the time 
that the colonization of America was going on the most 
rapidly, the best citizens of England, — if it be any part 
of good citizenship to resist oppression, — were immured 
in her prisons of state, or lying at the mercy of the 
law. 

" Such were the convicts by which America Avas set- 
tled : — men convicted of fearing God, more than they 
feared man ; of sacrificing property, ease, and all the 
comforts of life, to a sense of duty, and the dictates of 
conscience ; — men, convicted of pure lives, brave hearts, 
and simple manners. The enterprise was led by 
Raleigh, the chivalrous convict, who unfortunately 
believed that his royal master had the heart of a man, 
and would not let a sentence of death, which had slum- 
bered for sixteen years, revive and take effect, after so 
long an interval of employment and favor. But nullum 
tempus occurrit regi. The felons who followed next, 
5* 



106 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

were the heroic and long-suffering church of Robinson, 
at Leyden, — Carver, Brewster, Bradford, and their 
pious associates, convicted of worshipping God accord- 
ing to the dictates of their consciences, and of giving 
up all, — country, property,^ and the tombs of their 
fathers, — that they might do it, unmolested. Not con- 
tent with having driven the Puritans from her soil, 
England next enacted, or put in force, the oppressive 
laws, which colonized Maryland with Catholics, and 
Pennsylvania with Quakers. Nor was it long before 
the American plantations were recruited by the Ger- 
mans, convicted of inhabiting the Palatinate, when the 
merciless armies of Louis XIV. were turned into that 
devoted region ; and by the Huguenots, convicted of 
holding what they deemed the simple truth of Chris- 
tianity, when it pleased the mistress of Louis XIV. to 
be very zealous for the Catholic faith. These were fol- 
lowed, in the next century, by the Highlanders, con- 
victed of the enormous crime under a monarchical 
government, of loyalty to their hereditary prince, on the 
plains of Culloden ; and the Irish, convicted of support- 
ing the rights of their country, against what they 
deemed an oppressive external power. Such are the 
convicts by whom America was settled." 

We have seen that Mr. Everett was of humble origin, 
and dependent upon the common schools of Massachu- 
setts for his first mental culture, but thus fostered, and 
thence soaring, he has arrived at the first academical 
honors of the land. Reminiscences of his own intellec- 
tual progress often blend with his speech and ennoble 
its worth. Take the following example : 



EDWARD EVERETT. 107 

"Contemplate, at this season of the year, one of the 
magnificent oak trees of the forest, covered with thou- 
sands and thousands of acorns. There is not one of 
those acorns that does not carry within itself the germ 
of a perfect oak, as lofty and as wide spreading as the 
parent stock ; which does not enfold the rudiments of a 
tree that would strike its roots in the soil, and lift its 
branches toward the heavens, and brave the storms of a 
hundred winters. It needs for this but a handful of soil, 
to receive the acorn as it falls, a little moisture to 
nourish it, and protection from violence till the root is 
struck. It needs but these ; and these it does need, and 
these it must have ; and for want of them, trifling as 
they seem, there is not one out of a thousand of those in- 
numerable acorns, which is destined to become a tree. 

" Look abroad through the cities, the towns, the vil- 
lages of our beloved country, and think of what mate- 
rials their population, in many parts already dense, and 
everywhere rapidly growing, is, for the most part, made 
up. It is not lifeless enginery, it is not animated ma- 
chines, it is not brute beasts, trained to subdue the earth : 
it is rational, intellectual beings. There is not a mind, 
of the hundreds of thousands in our community, that is 
not capable of making large progress in useful knowledge ; 
and no one can presume to tell or limit the number of 
those who are gifted with all the talent required for the 
noblest discoveries. They have naturally all the sense 
and all the faculties — I do not say in as high a degree, 
but who shall say in no degree ? — possessed by Newton, 
or Franklin, or Fulton. It is but a little which is wanted 
to awaken every one of these minds to the conscious 



108 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

possession and the active exercise of its wonderful 
powers. But this little, generally speaking, is indispen- 
sable. How much more wonderful an instrument is an 
eye than a telescope ! Providence has furnished this 
eye ; but art must contribute the telescope, or the won- 
ders of the heavens remain unnoticed. It is for want of 
the little, that human means must add to the wonderful 
capacity for improvement born in man, that by far the 
greatest part of the intellect, innate in our race, perishes 
undeveloped and unknown. When an acorn falls upon 
an unfavorable spot, and decays there, we know the 
extent of the loss ; — it is that of a tree, like the one from 
which it fell ; — but when the intellect of a rational being, 
for want of culture, is lost to the great ends for which it 
was created, it is a loss which no one can measure, 
either for time or for eternity." 

Again, with a like appreciation of the worth of man 
in every age and clime, and with a similar eloquence of 
statement with respect to the importance of fostering the 
aspirations of all with genial education, Mr. Everett said 
at New Haven : 

" The La Place of this generation did not come into 
life, with the knowledge possessed and recorded by the 
Newtons the Keplers, and the Pythagorases of other 
days. It is doubtful, whether, at three years old, he 
could count much beyond ten ; — and if at six, he was 
acquainted with any other cycloidal curves, than those 
generated by the trundling of his hoop, he was a prodigy 
indeed. But by the time he was twenty-one, he had 
mastered all the discoveries of all the philosophers who 
preceded him, and was prepared to build upon them the 



EDWARD EVERETT. 109 

splendid superstructure of his own. In like manner, 
the whole race of men, who thirty years hence are to 
be the active members of society, and some of them its 
guides and leaders, its Mansfields and Burkes, its Ells- 
worths, Marshalls, and Websters, — the entire educated 
and intelligent population, which will have prepared it- 
self with the knowledge requisite for carrying on the 
business of life is, at this moment, enacting the part of 

the whining school-boy with his satchel 
And shining morning face, creeping like snail 
Unwillingly to school : — 

our future Ciceros are mewling infants ; and our Ark- 
wrights and Fultons, who are hereafter to unfold to our 
children new properties of matter ; — new forces of the 
elements ; — new applications of the mechanical powers, 
v^'hich may change the condition of things, are now, 
under the tuition of a careful nurse, with the safeguard 
of a pair of leading strings, attempting the perilous ex- 
periment of putting one foot before the other. Yes, the 
ashes that now moulder in yonder grave-yard, the sole 
remains on earth of what was Whitne}', — are not more 
unconscious of the stretch of the mighty mind which 
they once enclosed ; — than the infant understandings of 
those now springing into life, who are destined to follow 
in the luminous track of his genius, to new and still 
more brilliant results, in the service of man !" 

In the foregoing pages, it has been our purpose to 
describe the manner and material of Mr. Everett's elo- 
quence, by presenting the outlines of his mental por- 
<.»'Hiture, and personal characteristics together, with di- 



110 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

versified specimens of his published orations. In view 
of the aggregate thus brought before us, we are re- 
minded of the character given by Cicero of one of his 
cotemporaries who, he said, expressed " refined and pro- 
found thought in soft transparent diction." 

We deem Mr. Everett to be a rhetorician par excel- 
lence. What Canova was among sculptors, our erudite 
countryman is among orators. Since Praxitiles, no 
man has attained the power to change marble into flesh 
like the amiable and coldly graceful Italian ; whatever 
may be thought of the dignity and force of his designs, 
it is clear that, excepting Powers, no modern has ex- 
celled him in elaborate execution. The exception just 
made, will remind the reader of a much higher range of 
worth. One may poise his line between the grace of 
Correggio and the energy of M. Angelo, in the blended 
result producing dignified elegance ; but if he does not 
combine warm blood drawn from the one in vital 
muscles taken from the other, he will be sure to de- 
generate into imbecile affectation and limited esteem. 
Where there is not deep feeling, there can be no strong 
and permanent effects produced by art of any kind. 
Sensibility is the mother of sympathy, the creator of 
beauty, and source of that melting energy which fills the 
eye with the dew of humanity, the ear with tones of 
thrilling power, the heart with generous regard, and the 
soul with conceptions the most sublime. Upon this 
power latent within ourselves, depends all our influence 
in public speech, addressed to our fellow-men. Hence 
it has been truly said, that Shakspeare wept, trembled, 



EDWARD EVERETT. Ill 

lavij^hed first at what now^ sways an audience ; and when 
he aid not, he is stale, outrageous and disgusting. 

No genuine eloquence ever was, or ever can be pro- 
duced, but for its own sake ; if the orator do not create 
and express thought to please himself, he never will suc- 
ceed in pleasing the world. His art, like love, cannot 
be perfect, unless it excludes all competition, and absorbs 
the whole man. Nothing on earth presents such a fas- 
cination to the sight, and gratification to the mind as 
the union of naturalness and ideality perfected in high 
eloquence. This, however, is found only where a warm 
heart and rugged intellect conceive and strike with 
simultaneous power. The merits of such a speaker de- 
pend less on his characteristics of frigid exactness and 
dull uniformity, than on bold originality and invincible 
force. He has not onlv a manner which floats on the 
surface, but a soul which pervades all his faculties and 
renders every subject he handles luminous like himself. 
He does not attempt to people a barren fancy and heart 
of ice with images and sympathies won by formal explo- 
rations in the arid regions of defunct lore, but imbibes 
the living elements all around, becomes potent in the use 
of what radiates within himself, and is instinctively best 
proportioned and attractive, when he least aims at ele- 
gance. It is not very difficult for one to be measured, uni- 
form, and coldly correct, when he has feeble passions to 
rule, and hackneyed themes to analyze. Of this order of 
critics was Laharpe, of whom Vericour has well said 
that " His history of literature resembles an immense 
cemetery ; he rakes up in succession the slumbering re- 
mains, weighs them in his finical balance, and consigns 



112 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

them again to repose, without inquiring \rhat they had 
been, of what nature was the life and blood that ani- 
mated them, what moral vicissitudes they had under- 
gone. This scholastic criticism has undoubtedly its 
advantages, we allow ; it assigns the precise rules of 
good taste ; points out the delicacies of pure language, 
proves mathematically the laws of grammar and rhe- 
toric, and may check all proneness to exaggerations or 
innovations. But, as applied to a literary work, it is a 
mere dissection or cutting up, as we sometimes behold 
a fair flower plucked, mutilated, torn to pieces, in order 
to show the delicacy and secrets of its arrangement and 
formation. Still this forms but a limited study, in many 
cases an isolated ramification ; others happily come, and 
show us the flower in all its native beauty and fresh- 
ness, elegantly supported by its stem, and surrounded 
by all the harmonies in the midst of which nature has 
placed it." 

Of this latter class we reckon Edward Everett. From 
his writing, and style of speaking we would infer that 
his most genial sphere is where 

" Universal Pan 
Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance, 
Leads on the eternal spring." 

All his works glow with a mild and gentle radiance, 
but seldom burst out with prophetic fire. His flight is 
not that of the eagle in stormy skies, with searching 
glance and fierce wild scream ; on the contrary, he is 
mild as the dove, and prefers an atmosphere superlatively 
pure and calm. Such compositions may be admirable 



EDWARD EVERETT. 11 J 

for the wealth of intellect they display, but have not the 
greatest power to touch the heart or impel the judgment, 
being deficient alike in soul-stirring thought and depth 
of feeling. They may be full of labored smoothness 
and harmonized erudition, but they are, after all, ineffi- 
cient on the general mind, because they are sterile of 
genuine pathos and melody. A loftier endowment is 
requisite to substitute in the place of cold admiration 
the more ardent sentiments of sympathetic love and re- 
sistless force. Classical richness, combined with artistic 
elegance, copious acquisitions embodied in a style pure 
and melh'fluous, sentences abounding in learned rhythm 
more than in spontaneous vigor, form the main features 
of this orator's eloquence and his best claims to popular 
esteem. 

Rhetorical grace is to composition and delivery, what 
female figures are to history -pictures — however exqui- 
site the color, and perfect the light and shade, however 
touching the expression, heroical the forms, and full of 
majestic action, the result will but feebly interest the 
hearts of mankind, if the rays of beauty do not irradiate 
at least some portion of the scene. Over this element 
no one has a more supreme control than Mr. Everett. 
His is " the soft precision of the clear Vandyke," and 
he has executed works which, of their kind, are "inimi- 
table on earth by model, or by shading pencil drawn." 
But there is danger of being too uniformly placid and 
smooth. Writers on art have observed that roughness, 
in its different modes and degrees, is the ornament, the 
fringe of beauty, that which gives it life and spirit, and 
preserves it from baldness and insipidity. If the shaft 



114 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

of a column is smooth, the more ornamental part, the 
capita], is rough ; the facing of the smoothest building 
has a frize and cornice rough and abruptly projecting : 
it is the same in vases, and in everything that admits of 
ornament. Hence Dryden, when describing the cup 
that contained the heart of Guiscard, calls it " a 
goblet rich with gems, and rough with gold." The per- 
manent attraction of an oration, like that of a temple or 
landscape, depends upon the happy union of warm and 
cool tints, of smooth parts and rough, picturesque and 
severely graceful, solemn and gay. The most striking 
effects are produced by bringing together features totally 
opposite to each other ; but these must be skillfully 
arranged and blended in various degrees, in order to 
produce that charm of combination, which is manifest 
in the consummate works of art and nature. 

*' Like to some goddess hewn in stone, 
With blooming garlands bound." 

Too many speakers, like the majority of painters, in 
modern schools, instead of emulating the great masters 
of Roman art, ape the Tuscans, the main body of whom, 
equally inattentive to expression, character, contrast, 
and propriety of form, it was long ago said contented 
themselves with giving to tame and puerile ideas, obvi- 
ous and common-place conceptions, a kind of impor- 
tance by mastery of execution and a bold but monoto- 
nous and mannered outline. Here men, like their ex- 
amples in Holland, finish their works so carefully, be- 
cause there is a want of substantial and striking worth 
in them, and they can only be made interesting by the 



1 



EDWARD EVERETT. 115 



accurate delicacy of their execution. This, however, 
is not the fault of Mr. Everett. True, his language 
falls softl}^ like a snow-flake, and his sentences are "like 
autumn leaves distained with dusky gold ;" but his works, 
if cool, are not absolutely cold, and his style, if subdued, 
is yet rich with meaning. 

'' However bright or beautiful itself 

The theme he touched, he made it more so by 

His own light, like a fire-fly on a flower." 

True eloquence transports the mind " beyond the 
Ignorant present," to ages past, or ages yet to 
come. It leads the willing hearer by turns to the 
dark antiquity of Egypt, to the tranquillity of Arcadian 
scenes and fairy lands, or to the environs of the great 
capitals of Greece and Rome, and depicts the universal 
Dbjects of literary and heroic worth so precious and 
thrilling to every enlightened and cultivated taste. This 
power, also, Mr. Everett possesses to a good degree, but 
t is as a rhetorician mainly that his charms are wrought. 
His taste, his learning, and his elocution combine pow- 
erfully to enchant the organs of his hearers, not for 
imusement only, but the more effectually to conduct 
reason and motives to the intellect and heart. His man- 
ner, like his matter, is elaborated with the greatest care, 
but it does not divert the public eye from higher beau- 
ties to be absorbed by its lures ; by so doing it would 
be degraded to a mere vehicle of sensual pleasure, a 
trifling bauble, or a splendid fault. 

The connection between mere beauty and insipidity, 
naturalness and deformity, is so very close, that it re- 
quires the acutest eye habitually to observe what " thin 



116 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 1 

partitions do their bounds divide." It is an interesting 
fact, that while beauty of the highest kind was attributed ; 
by mythological nations to all the superior goddesses, ■ 
and the ancient artists were required to express it in ■ 
their representations of them, Venus, the most effemi- j 
nate of that class, was the only one invested with un- j 
substantial blandishments only; whereas Juno, Pallas, 
Diana, and other deities were characterized with nobler 
traits, having a mixture of awful majesty, savoring of I 
wisdom, warlike valor, and rigid chastity. Beauty and 1 
force coalesce in true eloquence and glow with whole- 
some strength, like the masculine cheek of Minerva, 
tinged with maidenly modesty. Such an orator, imbued 
with elegant thought and tender sensibilities, appears i 
before an audience much as Theseus did before Ariadne. 
Philostratus represents him as being adorned with a 
plain purple robe, wearing a garland of roses. His i 
whole air is that of one intoxicated with love, calm in 
its fullness, and absorbed in the admiration of beauty. 
Every attribute is laid aside, not perfectly in keeping 
with the subject and place. He has discarded the florid 
garment, the soft doe skin, and the thyrsus. In him is 
seen only the refined and yet impassioned lover. His 
companions are in harmony with himself The Bac- 
chants do not clash their cymbals, the Fauns refrain 
from their flutes, and Pan moderates his leaps, so as not 
unnecessarily to alarm the beloved. She already feels 
the charm of the god's presence, and will soon be con- 
ducted by him over the rocky plain, to cultivated, fra- 
grant hills, where, surrounded with readiest service and 
celestial joys, she will taste of love that will never end. 




^IgSS^m^ (SS.^^o 



J^. Michelin's IM .111 Ji^assau S'i- JK'^ 



CHAPTER III. 



HENRY CLAY, 

THE POLITICIAN. 

The facts and events which mark the career of Mr. 
( lay have frequently been portrayed. Some of the 
fkiost important of these it will be necessary to recite at 
the outset ; though biographical detail forms but quite a 
subordinate element of our present design. 

The father of our orator was a very respectable 
Baptist preacher, in the County of Hanover, Virginia, 
commonlv known as " The Slashes," where, on the 12th 
of April, 1777, his fifth child, Henry, was born. At an 
early age, he was left without father or fortune to buffet 
adverse storms, and to become inured to manual toil. 
At the age of fourteen he entered a small drug store in 
Richmond, Virginia, kept by Mr. Richard Denny. His 
stav there was short, and at the commencement of 1792 
he entered the office of Mr. Peter Tinsley, clerk of the 
High Court of Chancery. In this situation he, of 
course, came into personal contact with the most distin- 
guished men in the State, and attracted their attention 
so strongly by his talents and amiable qualities, that 
some of them, particularly Chancellor Wythe and 



118 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Governor Brooke, persuaded him, at the age of nine- 
teen, to undertake the study of the law. The state of 
society, and of the bar rules at this period, afforded great 
facilities for entering on the profession, and Mr. Clay, 
after a year's study, was admitted to practice at the age 
of twentv. He removed soon after to Lexino-ton, Ken- 
tucky, where he has since resided. He continued his 
studies at this place about a year longer, and during this 
period exercised himself in speaking at the meetings of 
the Debating Society. At his first attempt he exhibited 
the fluency and fervor, which have since formed the 
character of his maturer eloquence. " He rose," says 
Mr. Prentice, "under some embarrassment, and ad- 
dressed the President of the Society by the title of Gen- 

' tlemen of the Jury, but he gradually gained confidence 
from his own efforts, and, finally, concentrating all his 
powers upon the subject in debate, he surprised his audi- 
ence with a beauty and compass of voice, an exuber- 
ance of eloquence, and a force of argument well worthy 
of a veteran orator. A gentleman who heard this 
speech has assured us, that it would hardly suffer in 
comparison with the most brilliant efforts made by its 
author in after life. His reputation as a speaker was of 
course established, and he became immediately a lead- 
ing champion in all the debates of the Society." 

Mr. Clay entered on the duties of his profession at 
Lexington, under not the most flattering auspices, as 
appears from his speech of June, 1842, made at the 
same place. In this, he says he " was without patrons, 

, without friends, and destitute of the means of paying 
his weekly board. I remember how comfortable * I 



HENRY CLAY. 119 

thought I should be, if I could make £lOO, Virginia 
money, per annum, and with what delight I received the 
first fifteen shilling fee. My hopes were more than 
realized ; 1 immediately rushed into a lucrative prac 
tice." 

Mr. Clay's political career began as early as 1797 
when he openly portrayed the evils of domestic slavery 
His youthful ardor resisted every restraint upon free 
dom, as was manifest in the manner of his resistance 
to the odious Alien and Sedition laws, enacted in 1798-9 
In 1803, he was elected to the Legislature of Iventucky, 
and almost immediately on entering upon the functions 
of this, his first political office, he won no little notoriety 
in a severe and successful conflict with Felix Grundy, a 
forensic antagonist of great force and skill. In 1806, 
General Adair, one of the Senators of the State in Con- 
gress, having resigned his place, Mr. Clay was elected 
to occupy it for the remainder of the term, which was 
only one year. It was in this capacity that he first ap- 
peared at Washington. At the moment of his arrival, 
the Senate was engaged in a debate respecting the 
expediency of authorizing the construction of a bridge 
over the Potomac, into which discussion Mr. Clay 
immediately entered and made a very effective speech. 
On returning to Kentucky, after the expiration of his 
term in the Senate, he was immediately re-elected to 
the State Legislature, and at the opening of the next 
session was chosen speaker of the General Assembly, 
which office he held for several successive years. In 
1809, Mr. Thurston, another Senator in Congress, 
havnng resigned his place, Mr. Clay was called upon to 



120 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

occupy it for the remainder of his term, which was two 
years, and took his seat accordingly in the Senate, at the 
close of that year. The leading questions of the two ses- 
sions of 1810, and 1811, were the occupation of West Flo- 
rida, and the renewal of the charter of the Bank. On 
these, and other topics which came before the Senate, Mr. 
Clay distinguished himself as one of the ablest cham- 
pions of the party then in power. On the expiration of 1 
his term of service in the Senate in 1811, he returned 
to Kentucky, and was immediately after elected a mem- 
ber of the House of Representatives of the United 
States, where he took his seat in the winter of the same 
year. " Mr. Clay was at this time about thirty-five 
years of age, a period of life when the intellectual pow- 
ers of most men have just attained their full maturity, 
and are beginning to mark out for them the place which 
they are to occupy in the opinion of the world. So 
much, howevei'; had Mr. Clay anticipated the usual pro- 
gress, and such already was the extent of his influence, 
not merely in his own State, but on the wider theatre 
of national politics, that, on his first appearance as a 
new member in the House of Representatives, he was 
chosen Speaker by a vote of nearly two to one over 
two opposing candidates. No mark of respect and con- 
fidence at all equal to this has ever been bestowed by 
the House of Representatives upon any other person, 
and the best proof that it was not the result of any com- 
bination of accidental circumstances or momentary 
caprice, is to be found in the fact, that the confidence 
thus bestowed, was never afterwards withdraw^n or 
shaken. During the long period of Mr. Clay's congi:es- 



HENRY CLAY. 121 

sional career, which lasted, with two short intervals, 
from this time till his entrance into the Department of 
State, in 1825, he was regularly elected Speaker of each 
successive House of Representatives, we believe, with- 
out opposition. It is admitted, in fact, by all, that in 
discharging the arduous and honorable duties of this 
place, he was singularly successful. Though eminently 
prompt, firm, and decisive, the frankness and urbanity 
of his manner prevented any one from taking offence, 
and rendered him a general favorite."' At the begin- 
ning of the year 1814, he was appointed one of the 
Commissioners to treat for peace with Great Britain, 
and having accepted the trust, retired, of course, from 
the Speaker's chair. The circumstances attending his 
resignation, which are stated in the following extract 
from one of his biographers, strongly evince the extent 
of his influence over his political associates, and his 
general popularity with the members of all parties : 

" The official duties which now devolved upon Mr. 
Clay, required him to resign the Speaker's chair. At 
this time, his influence in the House of Representatives 
was equal to that which he had exercised, some years 
before, in the Legislature of his adopted State. His 
friends and his enemies agree in the remark, that his 
power was almost unlimited. His party was a majority 
in the House, and, so unbounded was the confidence 
which its members reposed in his wisdom and integrity, 
that he could sway the.m by a motion of his hand. 
Whenever the course of a discussion failed to meet his 
approbation, he descended from the chair, and, by min- 
gling in the debate, gave, at once, a new character to 



122 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

the proceedings. His resignation was tendered on the 
16th of January, and accompanied by a beautiful and 
affecting speech, which touched every heart in the 
assennbly, and unsealed many a fountain of tears. In 
the generous feelings of the hour, even the federalists 
wept freely, that a master-spirit was going out from 
among them. A resolution, thanking him in fervid lan- 
guage for the impartiality with which he had adminis- 
tered the arduou.^ duties of ofhce, was passed almost 
unanimously ; only eight or nine members voting 
against it. Probably there was no other man in the na- 
tion, who, at that stormy period, could have presided 
with such signal energy over the deliberations of the 
popular branch of Congress, and yet have commanded 
the approbation of so vast a majority of both political 
parties." 

During his absence on the mission to Ghent, Mr. 
Clay visited several of the most interesting portions of 
Europe, and was everywhere received with marked at- 
tention. On his return to the United States, he was 
greeted with great enthusiasm, particularly in his own 
State. He was immediately re-elected to Congress, and 
from this time, until his retirement from public life, in 
1842, may be regarded as the leading statesman in the 
councils of the Union. ' 

From this condensed biographical sketch of Mr. 
Clay, we turn more particularly to notice his mental 
adroitness, ardent nationality of spirit, and impressive 
manner of address. 

In the first place, we remark, a bold and effective 
quality in the personal character of Mr. Clay, is adroit- 



HEXRY CLAY. 123 

ness, or tact, in conducting important business. This is 
a trait quite prominent in his constitution and career, 
exemplified by him in a way which verifies the follow- 
ing pointed description : 

" Talent is something, but tact is everything. Tal- 
ent is serious, sober, grave and respectable ; tact is all 
that, and more too. It is not a sixth sense, but it is the 
life of all the five. It is the open eye, the quick ear, the 
judging taste, the keen smell, and the lively touch ; the 
interpreter of all riddles, the surmounter of all difficulties, 
the remover of all obstacles. It is useful in all places, 
and at all times. It is useful in solitude, for it shows a 
man the way into the world ; it is useful in society, for 
it shows him his way through the world. Talent is 
power ; tact is skill. Talent is weight ; tact is mo- 
mentum. Talent knows what to do, tact knows how to 
do it. Talent makes a man respectable ; tact will make 
him respected. Talent is wealth; tact is ready money. 
For the practical purposes of life, tact carries it against 
talent, ten to one. There is no want of dramatic tact 
or talent, but they are seldom together ; so we have suc- 
cessful pieces which are not respectable, and respectable 
pieces which are not successful. Take them to the bar, 
and let them shake their learned curls at each other in 
legal rivalry ; talent sees its way clearly, but tact is first 
at it's journey's end. Talent has many a compliment 
from the bench ; but tact touches fees from attorneys 
and clients. Talent speaks learnedly and logically ; 
tact, triumphantly. Talent makes the world wonder 
that it gets along no faster ; tact excites astonishment 
that it gets along so fast. The secret is, it has no 



124 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

weight to carry; it makes no false steps; it hits the 
right nail on the head ; it takes all hints. 

" Take them into the church. Talent has always 
something worth hearing ; tact is sure of abundance of 
hearers. Talent may obtain a living; tact will make 
one. Talent gets a good name, but tact gets a great 
one. Talent conceives ; tact converts. Talent is an 
honor to the profession ; tact gains honor from the pro- 
fession. 

" Take them to court. Talent feels its way ; tact 
makes its way. Talent commands ; tact is obeyed. 
Talent is honored with approbation ; tact is blessed with 
preferment. 

" Place them in the Senate. Talent has the ear of the 
house;, but tact wins its iieart and gains its votes. 
Talent is fit for employment; but tact is fitted for it. It 
has a knack of slipping into place, with a sweet silence 
and glibness of movement, as a billiard ball insinuates 
itself into the pocket. It seems to know everything, 
w'ithout learn ino; anvthincj. It wants no drillinrr. It 
has no left hand, no deaf ear, no blind side. It puts on 
no looks of wondrous wisdom, it has no air of profundity ; 
but plays with the details of place as dexterously as a 
well taught hand flourishes over the keys of a piano- 
forte. It has all the air of common place, and all the 
force and power of genius. Talent calculates clearly ; 
reasons lo2;icallv. Tact refutes without contradicting, 
puzzles the profound without profundity, and without 
wit, outwits the wise. 

*' Set them togetlier on a race for popularity, pen in 
hand, and tact will distance talent by half the course. 



HENRY CLAY. 125 

Talent brings to market that which is needed ; tact pro- 
duces that which is wished lor. Talent instructs ; tact 
enlightens. Talent leads where no one follows ; tact 
follows where the humor leads. Talent toils for pos- 
terity ; tact catches the passion of the passing hour 
Talent is a fine thing to talk about, and be proud of, 
but tact is useful, portable, always alive, always market- 
able. It is the talent of talents, the availableness of re- 
sources, the applicability of power, the eye of discrimi- 
nation, the riirht hand of intellect." 

The adroitness so peculiar to Mr. Clay, was manifested 
by him from the commencement of his brilliant practice 
at the bar. We will select a few examples. Two Ger- 
mans, father and son, were indicted for murder, and 
were tried in Harrison County. The act of killing was 
proven by evidence so clear and strong, that it was con- 
sidered not only a case of murder, but an exceedingly 
aggravated one. The trial lasted five days, " at the 
close of which he addressed the jury in the most impas- 
sioned and elocjuent manner, who were so moved by his 
pathetic ajipeals that they rendered a verdict of man- 
slaughter only. After another hard day's struggle he 
( succeeded in obtaining an arrest of judgment, by which 
; his clients were set at liberty. They expressed their 
[ gratitude in the warmest terms to their deliverer, in 
'i which they were joined by an old ill-favored female, the 
wife of one and the motlier of the other, who adopted a 
dillerent mode, however, of tendering her thanks, which 
■ was by throwing her arms around Mr. Clay's neck and 
repeatedly kissing him, in the presence of the court and 
spectators. Respecting her feelings, he did not attempt 



126 LIVING Ul.ATORS IN AMERICA. 

to repulse her, but submitted with such grace and dig- 
nity to her caresses as to elicit outbursts of applause/' 

This sagacious advocate was equally adroit in dis- 
covering and turning to his advantage, a technical law- 
point, involving doubt. For instance, a client of his, 
by tiie name of Willis, indicted for murder, was put on 
trial. By a mighty effort, Mr. Clay succeeded, in al- 
most direct defiance of testimony, in creating a division 
of the jury, as to the nature of the defendant's crime. 
The Attorney for the Commonwealth obtained a new 
trial. When his turn came to speak, " Mr. Clay rose, 
and commenced with assuming the position, that, what- 
ever opinion the jury might have of the guilt or inno- 
cence of the prisoner, it was too late to convict him, for 
he had been once tried, and the law required that no 
man should be put twice in jeopardy of his life for the 
same offence. The Court was startled at this assump- 
tion, and peremptorily prohibited the speaker from pro- 
ceeding in the argument to maintain it. Mr. Clay drew 
himself proudly up, and remarking, that, if he was not 
allowed to argue the whole case to the jury, he could 
have nothing more to say, made a formal bow to the 
Court, put his books into his green bag, and, with 
Roman dignity, left the hall, followed by his associate 
counsel. The consequence was as he had foreseen. 
He had not been at his lodgings more than five or ten 
minutes, when he was waited on by a messenger from 
the Court, requesting his return, and assuring him that 
he should be permitted to argue the case in his own 
way. Instantly he made his re-appearance in the hall, 
pressed, with the utmost vehemence, the point he had 



HENRY CLAY. 127 

before attempted to establish, and, on the ground that his 
client had once been tried, prevailed on the jury to give 
him his liberty, without any reference whatever to the 
testimony against him. Such a decision could not now 
be obtained in Kentucky, — and, at the period in question, 
was obviously contrary to law." 

Although frequently employed in criminal cases, he 
was, says his biographer, not less successful in civil suits. 
The decision and promptitude of his practice are curi- 
ously illustrated in the following anecdote : 

"In suits that involved the land laws of Virginia and 
Kentuckv, he had no rival. But it would be in vain to 
attempt even an enumeration of the cases, in which, 
during the early years of his practice, he gathered a rich 
harvest of gold and fame. In a short biographical no- 
tice that was given of him about three years ago, we 
6nd mention of an incident in his professional life, 
which was certainly a striking illustration of the rapidity 
of his intellectual conrJ[)inations, and his power of seiz- 
ing intuitively upon the strong points of a case. We 
give it as a single specimen of what he could do. In con- 
junction with another attorney of eminence, whose 
name we have forgotten, he was employed to argue in 
the Fayette Circuit Court, a question of great difTiculty, 
— one, ki which the interests of the litigant parties were 
both deeply involved. At the opening of the Court, 
somethiniT occurred to call him awav, and the whole 
management of the case devolved on his associate coun- 
sel. Two days were spent in discussing the points of 
law, which were to govern the instructions of the Court 
to the jury, and on each of these points Mr. Clay's 



128 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

colleague was foiled by his antagonist. At the end of 
the second day Mr. (Dlay re-entered the Court. He had 
not heard a word of^he testimony, and knew nothing of 
the course which the discussion had taken, but, after 
holding a very short consultation with his colleague, he 
drew up a statement of the form in which he wished the 
instructions of the Court to be given to the jury, and 
accompanied his petition with a few observations so novel 
and satisfactory, that it was granted without the least 
hesitation. A corresponding verdict was instantly re- 
turned by the jury ; and thus the case, which had been 
on the very point of being decided against Mr. Clay's 
client, was decided in his favor, in less than half an hour 
after Mr. Clay entered the Court- House." 

When Mr. Clay began to aspire to the attainr/ient of 
political distinction, he was obliged, in common with 
other candidates, to resort to stump speaking, and in the 
sphere of mental adroitness, showed himself as expert as 
he had already appeared at the bar. An incident is re- 
lated, which illustrates his happy tact in seizing and 
turning to good account trivial circumstances with great 
effect. Says an acquaintance : " He had been engaged 
in speaking some time, when a company of riflemen, 
who had been performing military exercise, attracted by 
his attitude, concluded to go and hear what that fellow 
had to say, as they termed it, and accordingly drew 
near. They hstened with respectful attention and evi- 
dently with deep interest, until he closed ; when one of 
their number, a man about fifty years of age, who had 
evidently seen much backwoods service, stood leanino- 
on his rifle, regarding the young speaker with a fixed 



HENRY CLAY. 129 

and most sagacious look. He was apparently the Nim- 
rod of the company, for he exhibited every characteris- 
tic of a mighty hunter, — buckskin breeches and hunting 
shirt, coon-skin cap, black bushy beard, and a visage 
which, had it been in juxtaposition with his leathern bul- 
let pouch, might have been taken for part and parcel of 
the same. At his belt hung the knife and hatchet, and 
the huge indispensable powder-horn across a breast bare 
and brown as the bleak hills he often traversed, yet 
which concealed as brave and noble a heart as ever beat 
beneath a fairer covering. He beckoned with his hand 
to Mr. Clay to approach him, who immediately complied. 
* Young man,' said he, ' you want to go to the legislature, 
I see?' 'Why, yes,' replied Mr. Clay, 'yes, I should like 
to go, since my friends have seen proper to put me up 
as a candidate before the people ; I do not wish to be 
defeated.' 'Are you a good shot?' 'The best in the 
country.' ' Then you shall go ; but you must give us a 
specimen of your skill ; we must see you shoot.' ' I 
never shoot any rifle but my own, and that is at home.' 
'No matter, here is old Bess, she never fails in the hands 
of a markesnian ; she has often sent death through a 
squirrel's head one hundred yards, and daylight through 
many a red skin twice that distance; if you can shoot 
any gun you can shoot old Bess.' ' Well, put up your 
mark, put up your mark,' replied Mr. Clay. The target 
was placed at a distance of about eighty yards, when, 
with all the steadiness of an old experienced marksman, 
he drew old Bess to his shoulder and fired. The bullet 
pierced the target near the centre. ' Oh, a chance shot ! 
a chance shot !' exclaimed several of his political oppo- 
6* 



130 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

nents. 'A chance shot ! He might shoot all day and 
not hit the mark again; let him try it over, let him try 
il over.' • No ; beat that, beat that, and then I will,' 
retorted Mr. Clay. But as no one seemed disposed to 
make the attempt, it was considered that he had given 
satisfactory proof of being the best shot in the county ; 
and this unimportant incident gained him the vote of 
every hunter and marksman in the assembly, which was 
composed principally of that class of persons, as well 
as the support of the same throughout the county. 
The most remarkable feature respecting the whole trans- 
action is yet to be told. Said Mr. Clay, ' I had never 
before fired a rifle, and have not since.' The result of 
the election proved Mr. Clay much more popular than it 
had been supposed he was ; he was elected almost by 
acclamation. Our astonishment may well be excited, 
when we consider that this was the first time that he 
was a candidate for an ofRce, and the circumstances 
under which it took place. It must be certain that he 
was esteemed a young man of great promise and ability." 

Another instance is related similar to the above. 
During a particular canvas, Mr. Clay met an old hun- 
ter who had previously been his devoted friend, but who 
now opposed him because of his action on the passage 
of the Compensation Bill. 

"Have you a good rifle, my friend ?" asked Mr. Clay. 
*' Yes." " Does it ever flash ?" " Once onlv." " What 
did you do with it, throw it away ?" " No, I picked the 
flint, tried it again, and brought down the game." 
" Have I ever flashed but on the Compensation Bill ?" 
"No" "Will you throw me away?" "No! no'" 



HENRY CLAY. 131 

quick] V replied the hunter, nearly overwhelmed by his 
enthusiastic feelings, " I will pick thejlint and try you 
again !" Ever afterwards he was the unwavering 
friend of Mr. Clay. i 

Under another head, we shall have occasion to refer 
lo our orator's wonderful expertness at management 
with the loftiest patriotism, in the emergencies when he 
introduced and carried his several compromise bills. 
We are now referring in particular to his sagacious self- 
control, and power of conciliating the most prejudiced 
foes. Take the following case of his own stating, which 
occurred in 1828, while he was travelling in Virginia, 
accompanied by some friends. " We halted," said he, 
" at night, at a tavern kept by an aged gentleman, who, 
after supper sat down by me, and, without hearing my 
name, but understanding that I was from Kentucky, 
remarked, that lie had four sons in that Slate, and that 
he was very sorry they were divided in politics, two 
beincr for Adams and two for Jackson. He wished 
they were all for Jackson. Why? I asked him. 'Be- 
cause,' he said, 'that fellow Clay, and Adams, had 
cheated Jackson out of the Presidency.' Have you ever 
seen any evidence, my old friend, said I, of that ? 'No,' 
he replied, ' none, and he wanted to see none' But, 
1 observed, looking him directly and steadily in the face, 
suppose Mr. Clay were to come here and assure you, 
upon his honor, that it was all a vile calumny, and not 
a word of truth in it, would you believe him ? ' No,' 
replied the old man, promptly and emphatically. I said 
to him, in conclusion, will you be good enough to show 
me to bed, and bade him good night. The next morn- 



132 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

ing, having in the interval learnt my name, he came to 
me full of apologies, but I at once put him at his ease, 
by assuring him that I did not feel, in the slightest de- 
gree, hurt or offended with him." 

But it was not so easy for others to repress their feel- 
ings under Mr. Clay's pungent insinuations, as the fol- 
lowing example will show : On the 2d of September, 
1841, Mr. Buchanan took occasion to say that Mr. 
Tyler had shown himself " a man of mettle," ty his veto 
on the Bank. Mr . Clay replied : 

" Rumor had said, that a party of the opposition had 
visited the President's house, the night after the veto. 
He (Mr. Clay) did not know as to the fact. But he 
would suppose a case. There, he would imagine, among 
those gathered for the great congratulation, Avas the 
senator from South Carolina, (Mr. Calhoun) looking as 
if he were deducting the nicest abstraction that had 
ever issued from his metaphysical brain. There, he 
presumed, was the senator from Alabama, (Mr. King) 
ready to settle, in the most positive manner, any ques- 
tion of order that might arise. He supposed many 
others were present. There, too, was the senator from 
Pennsylvania, (Mr. Buchanan) as their distinguished 
leader, addressing the President in something like the 
following manner : 

" * May it please your Excellency, my political friends 
and myself have come this afternoon to deposit at your 
Excellency's feet the evidences of our loyalty and devo- 
tion. We have come more particularly to express to 
your Excellency the congratulations to which we think 
you are entitled, for having relieved the country from 



HENRY CLAY. 133 

the danger of a violation of its constitution, by the es- 
tabhshment of a Bank of the United States ; and we 
owe to your Excellency our especial acknowledgments 
for the veto with which you have favored the country 
to-day ; and for special reasons, we struggled against your 
Excellency's friends in both houses of Congress, for days 
and weeks together ; we exhausted all our powers of 
logic and arguments to defeat the alarming measure ; 
but, in spite of that, the friends of your Excellency, 
in both Houses, proved too strong for us, and carried it 
against our united exertions; and we come now to 
thank your Excellency, that you have done that airainst 
your friends, which we could not accomplish with all 
our exertions.' " 

It is said that Mr. Benton came in for his share of 
this castigation, and that while Mr. Clay was describing 
his hypothetical part with graphic power, he rose, and 
denied with great vehemence that he was there. " It 
was only a supposition/' said Mr. Clay. Mr. Buchanan 
betrayed much feeling wlien he rose to rejoin. Mr. 
King colored, and INIr. Calhoun flatly denied. Mr. 
Clay desired each of them to consider that it was only 
an hypothesis. Rumor adds that Mr. Buchanan had 
mucii trouble to convince his constituents that he did 
not make that speech to his " Excellency." 

We shall have occasion to witness the mental adroit- 
ness of Mr. Clay developed in its noblest forms, while 
we proceed to notice, secondly, his ardent nationality of 
spirit. 

One of the earliest topics that engrossed this great 
patriot's attention, was that of the character and influ- 



134 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

ence of American slavery. This matter has frequently 
been discussed by him in the course of his public life. 
On Jan. 20, 1827, in a speech delivered at Washington, 
he said : " If 1 could be instrumental in eradicating this 
deepest stain upon the character of our country, and 
removing all cause of reproach on account of it, by 
foreign nations ; if I could only be instrumental in rid- 
ding of this foul blot that revered State that gave me 
birth, or that not less beloved State which kindly adopted 
me as her son, I would not exchange the proud satisfac- 
tion which I should enjoy, for the honor of all the 
ti'iumphs ever decreed to the most successful conqueror!^ 

" We are reproached with doing mischief by the agi- 
tating of this question (slavery.) Collateral conse- 
quences we are not responsible for. It is not this 
society, which has produced the great moral revolution, 
which the age exhibits. What would they, who thus 
reproach us, have done ? If they would repress all ten- 
dencies towards liberty, and ultimate emancipation, they 
must do more than put down the benevolent efforts of 
this society. They must go back to the era of our 
liberty and independence, and muzzle the cannon which 
thunders its annual joyous return. They must revive the 
slave trade, with all its train of atrocities. They must 
blow out the moral lights around us, and extinguish that 
greatest torch of all, which America presents to a be- 
nighted world, pointing the way to their rights, their 
liberties, and their happiness. And when they have 
achieved all these purposes, their work will yet be in- 
complete. They must penetrate the human soul, and 



HENRY CLAY. 135 

eradicate the light of reason, and the love of liberty. 
Then, and not till then, when universal darkness and 
despair prevail, can you perpetuate slavery, and repress 
all sympathies, and all humane and benevolent efforts 
among freemen, in behalf of the unhappy portion of our 
race doomed to bondage." 

Thus acutely alive to the enormities of slavery of 
every form, Mr. Clay was not constituted to look with 
indifference upon British aggression upon our national 
rights and fame. He witnessed with irrepressible indig- 
nation the systematic crusade gotten up to extinguish 
our growing commerce, to resist which infamous pro- 
ceeding occasioned the war of 1812. Great Britain, 
among other illegalities and cruelties practiced towards 
us, adopted the execrable custom of impressment, and 
thus carried seven thousand American freemen into 
captivity, as appeared from official reports made during 
a single session of Congress. This barbarous system 
grew more and more insufferable continually. Scarcely 
a breeze came across the Atlantic without wafting to 
our shores news of some fresh enormity. Redress was 
sought by mild measures, without effect or even respect. 
Madison, Pinckney, and Munroe, in their correspond- 
ence with the British government, had remonstrated 
again and again, but only to embolden the aggressor in 
his outrageous proceedings. Mr. Clay, and those who 
sympathized with him, felt that there was no alternative 
left the United States but to arm in righteous defence, 
and chastise the insolence of an overbearing foe. But 
there were some who stood in awe of the maritime 
force of England, and who deemed it impossible that 



136 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

our young nation, with feeble munitions of war, and no 
navy, could compete with an antagonist then haughtily 
careering over every sea, and blockading all the ports of 
Europe. These affected to believe that the interests ol 
the country would not be subserved, whether the war 
eventuated in her, or that of her enemy ; they could see 
nothing to be gained by it ; to whom Mr. Clay said, " 1 
will ask what are we not to lose by peace ? — commerce, 
character, a nation's best treasure and honor ! If pecu- 
niary considerations alone are to govern, there are suffi- 
cient motives for the war. Our revenue is reduced by 
the operation of the belligerent edicts to about six mil- 
lions of dollars. The year preceding the embargo, it 
was sixteen. Take away the orders in council, it will 
again mount up to sixteen millions. By continuing, 
therefore, in peace — if the mongrel situation in which 
we are deserves that denomination — we lose annually, 
in revenue alone, ten millions of dollars. Gentlemen 
will say, repeal the law of non-importation. If the 
United States were capable of that perfidy, the revenue 
would not be restored to its former state, the orders in 
council continuing. Without an export trade, which 
these orders prevent, inevitable ruin will ensue if we 
import as freely as we did prior to the embargo. A 
nation that carries on an import trade without an export 
trade to support it, must in the end be as certainly bank- 
rupt, as the individual would be who incurred an annual 
expenditure without an income." 

Mr. Clay contended that England, in assigning the 
cause of her aggressions to be the punishment of France, 



HENRY CLAY. 137 

with whom she was at war, was practicing a deceptive 
part ; that this was her ostensible and not real course. 
It was her inordinate desire of supremacy on the seas, 
which could not brook any appearance of rivalry, that 
prompted her hostilities. She saw in your numberless 
ships which whitened every sea, in your hundred and 
twenty thousand gallant tars, the seeds of a naval force, 
which, in thirty years, would rival her on her own ele- 
ment. She tlierefore commenced the odious system of 
impressment, of which no language can paint my exe- 
cration ! She DARED to attempt the subversion of the 
personal freedom of your mariners !" 

He closed by expressing his decided conviction of the 
justice of the undertaking, and hoping that unless re- 
dress was obtained by peaceable means speedily, war 
would be resorted to before the close of the session. 

In subsequent speeches, he expressed himself con- 
vinced that the declaration of war was the most provi- 
dent measure that could under the then existing circum- 
stances be adopted, and advocated it with the greatest 
energy and zeal. He demonstrated its necessity, not 
only to the Atlantic States, but to the vast west. " If," 
said he, " there be a point more than any other in the 
United States, demanding the aid of naval protection, 
that point is the mouth of the Mississippi. The popu- 
lation of the whole western country are dependent on 
this single outlet for their surplus productions. These 
productions can be transported in no other way. Close 
the mouth of the Mississippi, and their export trade is 
annihilated. Abandon all idea of protecting by mari- 
time force the mouth of the Mississippi, and we shall 



138 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

hold the inestimable right of the navigation of that river 
by the most precarious tenure. The whole commerce of 
the Mississipj3i, a commerce that is destined to be the 
richest that was ever borne by a single stream, is placed 
at the mercy of a single ship lying off the Balize ! Can 
gentlemen, particularly from the western country, con- 
template such possible, nay, probable events, without 
desiring to see at least the commencement of such a 
naval establishment as will effectually protect the Mis- 
sissippi?" He showed the intimate connection of com- 
merce with a navy, by saying that "a marine is the 
natural, the appropriate guardian of foreign commerce. 
The shepherd and his faithful dog are not more necessary 
to guard the flocks that browse and gambol on the neigh- 
boring mountain. Neglect to provide the one, and you 
must abandon the other. Suppose the expected war 
with Great Britain is commenced — you enter and sub- 
jugate Canada, and she still refuses to do you justice — 
what other possible mode will remain to operate on the 
enemy, but upon that element w-here alone you can 
come in contact with her ? And if you do not prepare 
to protect there your own commerce and to assail his, 
will he not sweep from the ocean every vessel bearing 
your flag, and destroy even the coasting trade ?" To 
the argument that foreign trade was not worth protect- 
ing, he asked, " What is this foreign commerce that has 
suddenly become so inconsiderable ? It has with verv 
trifling aid from other sources, defrayed the expenses of 
the government ever since the adoption of the present 
constitution, maintained an expensive and successful war 
with the Indians, a w^ar with the Barbary powers, a 



HENRY CLAY. 139 

quasi war with France, sustained the charges of sup- 
pressing two insurrections, and extinguishing upwards 
of forty-six milHons of the pubhc debt. In revenue, it 
has since the year 1789 yielded one hundred and ninety- 
one millions of dollars." Alluding to the eminent dan- 
ger of our commercial metropolis, he remarked, "Is 
there a reflectino; man in the nation who would not 
charge Congress with a culpable neglect of its duty, if 
for the want of such a force a single ship were to bombard 
one of our cities ? Would not every honorable mem- 
ber of the committee inflict on himself the bitterest re- 
proaches, if by failing to make an inconsiderable addition 
to our "[allant little navy, a sinde British vessel should 
place New York under contribution ?" 

Interested partisans, overlooking the great and endur- 
ing advantages won in the war which Mr. Clay did so 
much to sustain, reflected on his course in relation there- 
to. To such, on January 29th, 1816, he replied with 
patriotic triumph as follows : " I gave a vote for the 
declaration of war. I exerted all the little influence 
and talents I could command to make the war. The 
war was made. It is terminated ; and I declare with per- 
fect sincerity, if it had been permitted tome to lift the 
veil of futurity, and to have foreseen the precise series 
of events which has occurred, mv vote would have been 
unchanged. We had been insulted and outraged, and 
spoliated upon by nearly all Europe ; by Great Britain, 
by France, Spain, Denmark, Naples, and, to cap the cli- 
max, by the little contemptible power of Algiers. We 
had submitted too long and too much We had be- 



140 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA, 

come the scorn of foreign powers, and the derision of 
our own citizens." 

In August, 1814, Mr. Clay with other commissioners 
on the part of America met Lord Gambier, Henry Goul- 
borne, and William Adamos, on the part of the British 
government, assembled at Ghent to negociate a peace. 
In executing this task, our countryman showed his 
ardent nationality of spirit in every proceeding. For 
instance, he reciprocated an act of kindness of Mr. 
Goulborne, who had sent him a British periodical con- 
taining an account of the taking of Washington by the 
arms of his ^^ation, by sending him some American 
papers which he had recently received, describing a 
splendid victory won on Lake Champlain or Lake Erie, 
by the navy of his country over that of the British. 

While he was at London the battle of Waterloo was 
fought, and he witnessed the public rejoicings on account 
of its favorable termination to the British. He was one 
day dining at Lord Castlereagh's house in company with 
many of the nobility, when the conversation turned on 
the late victory, and the w'hereabouts of Napoleon, as 
it was not known where he had gone. Some intimated 
that he had sailed for America. " If he goes there," said 
Lord Liverpool to Mr. Clay, " will he not give you much 
trouble ?" " None whatever," instantly replied Mr. Clay, 
" we shall be glad to receive such a distinguished, though 
unfortunate exile, and we shall soon make a good demo- 
crat of him." 

After the close of the war by the treaty of Ghent, 
Mr. Clay took up with great ardor the cause of South 
American independence. To him undoubtedly belongs 



HENRY CLAY. 141 

the credit of havinir first called the attention of Con- 
gress and the people to this great subject ; and of having 
contributed an earlier and a greater share, than any- 
other person, to the weight of argument and the power 
of persuasion, by which the public sentiment on the 
subject was eventually fixed. It was in one of the first 
speeches made on this subject, that he said "he would 
leave the honorable gentleman from Delaware (Mr. 
Horsev) to bewail the fallen fortunes of the Kins: of 
Spain, without stopping to inquire whether their loss 
was occasioned by treachery or not, or whether it could 
be traced to any agency of the American government. 
He confessed that he had little sympathy for princes, 
but that it was reserv^ed for the people, the great mass of 
mankind, and did not hesitate to declare that the people 
of Spain had it most unreservedly and most sincerelv." 
At a subsequent period ]Mr. Clay was accused of aim- 
ing to ferment a war between the colonies of South Amer- 
ica and Spain. To this he replied, that if the latter ever 
possessed a legal claim to the allegiance of the former, she 
had forfeited it by withholding that protection requisite to 
entitle her to it, and that consequently the people of 
Spanish America were contending for nothing more 
than their le^al and natural rights. "But," said Mr. 
Clay, " I ta];e a broader, bolder position. I maintain 
that an oppressed people are authorized, whenever 
thev can, to rise and break their fetters. This was the 
great principle of the English revolution. It was the 
great principle of our own. We must therefore pass 
sentence of condemnation upon the founders of our 
liberty, say that they were rebels and traitors, and that 



142 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

we are at this moment legislating without competent 
powers, before we can condemn the course of Spanish 
America." He contended that if we were justified in our 
attempts at independence, much more was she, who had 
writhed beneath the scourge of oppression so long, so 
much longer than we ; that if they were worthy of suc- 
cess, if they were entitled to succeed from the justness 
of their cause, then surely we ought to wish it, especially 
when we consider the barbarous character of the war. 
He maintained that we were deeply jnterested, in recoo;- 
nizing their independence. Even then our commerce 
with those provinces was considerable, and would 
greatly increase after they should become permanently 
settled as free and independent nations. The act would 
attach them to us, nay, it would bind them to us, by rela- 
tions as intimate as those of kindred ; they would be- 
come our powerful allies. Mr. Clay said he took this 
ground, not because he desired to force our principles 
where thev were not wished, but simplv from feelin&s 
of sympathy. We knew by experience how sweet it 
was to receive that, when we were in circumstances that 
tried men's souls. There could be no danger, nor objec- 
tion to stretch out towards their people the hand of 
friendly sympathy, to present to those abused and op- 
pressed communities an expression of our good will, to 
make them a tender of those great principles which we 
have adopted as the basis of our institutions. Their 
ignorance and inability had been brou"-ht forward, bv 
those opposing the measure, as completely incapacitating 
them for self-government. These, he contended, had 
been greatly magnified, but admitting them to be as un- 



HENRY CLAY. 143 

qualifying as they had been represented to be, the fact 
ought rather to increase our pity for them, and to urge 
us to seek the more earnestly, by all reasonable and just 
means within our reach, their liberation from that detest- 
able system which chamed them to such a servile state. 
He ridiculed the idea that recognition could be made a 
just pretext for war. " Recognition," said he, '" without 
aid, is no just cause of war ; with aid, it is not because 
of the recognition, but because of the aid, as aid with- 
out recognition is cause of war." Mr. Clay's efforts 
were not successful at this time ; no minister was de- 
spatched to South America ; the friendly mission was 
deferred until 1821, when he submitted, on the tenth of 
February, a resolution to the house, "declaring that the 
House of Representatives participated with the people of 
the United States in the deep interest which they felt 
for the success of the Spanish provinces of South 
America, which were strufrslins to establish their liberty 
and independence, and that it would give its constitu- 
tional support to the President of tlie United States, 
whenever he might deem it expedient to recognize the 
sovereignty and independence of those provinces." 

On the 28th of March, 1822, the vote of recognition 
which Mr. Clay had so long struggled for, was passed 
with but one dissenting voice. Thus, after a long strug- 
gle on the part of this patriotic statesman, his efforts 
were crowned with success as complete as they had been 
persevering. It is said, that during the forensic strife, 
his speeches were frequently read at the head of the 
patriot army, and the effect was always to increase their 
intrepidity and valor. The name of Clay became associ- 



144 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

ated with everything dear and valuable in freedom, and 
was pronounced by both officer and soldier with rever- 
ence ; and many were the epistolary notices which he 
received, of the high estimation in which his services 
were held, by that suffering, but successfully struggling 
people. The following is a specimen : 

Bogota, 21st November, 1827. 

"Sir, — I cannot omit availing myself of the opportu- 
nity afforded me by the departure of Colonel Watts, 
charge cV affaires of the United States, of taking the 
liberty to address your Excellency. This desire has long 
been entertained by me, for the purpose of expressing 
my admiration of your Excellency's brilliant talents and 
ardent love of liberty. All America, Colombia, and 
myself, owe your Execellency our purest gratitude, for 
the incomparable services you have rendered to us, by 
sustaining our course with a sublime enthusiasm. Ac- 
cept, therefore, this sincere and cordial testimony, which 
I hasten to offer your Excellency and to the government 
of the United States, who has so greatly contributed to 
the emancipation of your southern brethren. 

" I have the honor to offer to your Excellency my dis- 
tinguished consideration. 

" Your Excellency's obedient servant. 

" BOLIVAR." 

The ardent nationahty of spirit so predominant in 
Mr. Clay, was strikingly developed in his action on the 
Missouri question. He reached Washington on the 
sixteenth of January, 1821, and found Congress in the 



HENRY CLAY. 145 

greatest excitement and confusion. Both political 
parties were excessively envenomed and belligerent. 
The services of an adroit and magnanimous peace-maker 
were requisite, or national disunion threatened to be 
the inevitable result. The opposition which the peo- 
ple of Missouri had encountered in their efforts to be 
admitted as a State had roused their anger; they insert- 
ed a clause in their constitution which was most ob- 
noxious to the rest of the Union. It ran as follows : 

" It shall be the duty of the General Assembly, as 
soon as may be, to pass such laws as may be necessary 
to prevent free negroes and mulattoes from coming to or 
settling in this State, under any pretext whatsoever." 

On the 10th of February, Mr. Clay reported and sub- 
mitted the following resolution : 

"Resolved, That the State of Missouri be admitted 
into the Union on an equal footing with the original 
States, in all respects whatever, upon the fiindamental 
condition, that the said State shall never pass any law 
preventing any description of persons from coming to 
and settling in the said Slate, who now are, or may 
hereafter become, citizens of any of the States of this 
Union." 

The compromise was founded on this resolution, and 
was mainly effected by the temper, sagacity, and inde- 
fatigable zeal of Mr. Clay. 

A still more memorable act of pacification, was the 
Compromise Bill, of February, 1833. The Legislature 
of South Carolina ratified an ordinance, passed by a State 
Convention, at Columbia, in November, 1832, declaring 
the tariff acts unconstitutional, and utterly null and void. 
7 



146 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

President Jackson promptly issued his proclamation, de- 
nouncing the doctrines of nullification, and declared that 
the entire military force of the United States, if neces- 
sary, should be employed to put down all opposition to 
the General Government. His remonstrances, hovi^ever, 
were unheeded. Governor Hayne immediately issued 
a counter proclamation, and the greatest national perils 
became more imminent every hour. A bill to enforce 
the collection of the revenue, was brought before the 
Senate, directing coercive measures to be employed, in 
case of resistance. At this critical juncture, when the 
political heavens gathered in thickest gloom, Mr. Clay 
stepped forth to disperse the darkness, and wave the 
olive branch of peace over the distracted nation. 
Never, perhaps, were greater talent and skill needed, 
than in this crisis, and never were they more success- 
fully employed. Those who heard his closing appeals 
to the Senate, on the subject, will never forget the effect 
produced by sentiments like the following : 

"Statesmen should regulate their conduct, and adapt 
their measures to the exigencies of the times in which 
they live. They cannot, indeed, transcend the limits of 
the constitutional rule ; but with respect to those sys- 
tems of policy which fall within its scope, they should 
arrange them according to the interests, the wants, and 
the prejudices of the people. Two great dangers 
threaten the public safety. The true patriot will not 
stop to inquire how they have been brought about, but 
will fly to the deliverance of his country. The difTer- 
ence between the friends and the foes of the compromise, 
under consideration, is, that they would, in the enforcing 



HENRY CLAY. 147 

act, send forth alone a flaming sword. We would send 
out that also, but along with it the olive branch, as a 
messenger of peace. They cry out, the law ! the law ! 
the law ! Power ! power ! power ! We, too, reverence 
the law, and bow to the supremacy of its obligation ; 
but we are in favor of the law executed in mildness, and 
a power tempered with mercy. They, as we think, 
would hazard a civil commotion, beginning in South 
Carolina, and extending, God only knows where. 
While we would vindicate the Federal Government, 
we are for peace, if possible, union, and liberty. We 
want no war, above all, no civil war, no familv strife. 
We want no sacked cities, no desolated fields, no smok- 
ing ruins, no streams of American blood shed by Ameri- 
can arms ! 

" I have been accused of ambition in presenting this 
measure. Ambition ! inordinate ambition ! If I had 
thought of myself only, I should have never brought it 
forward. I know well the perils to which I expose my- 
self; the risk of alienating faithful and valued friends, 
with but little prospect of making new ones, if any new 
ones could compensate for the loss of those whom we 
have long tried and loved ; and the honest misconcep- 
tions both of friends and foes. Ambition ! If I had 
listened to its soft and seducing whispers ; if I had 
yielded myself to the dictates of a cold, calculating, and 
prudential policy, I would have stood still and unmoved. 
I might even. have silently gazed on the raging storm, 
enjoyed its loudest thunders, and left those who are 
charged with the care of the vessel of State, to conduct 
it as they could. I have been heretofore often unjustly 



148 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

accused of ambition. Low, grovelling souls, who are 
utterly incapable of elevating themselves to the higher 
and nobler duties of pure patriotism—beings, who, for 
ever keeping their own selfish aims in view, decide all 
public measures by their presumed influence on their 
aggrandizement — judge me by the venal rule which they 
prescribe to themselves. I have given to the winds 
those false accusations,. as I consign that which now im- 
peaches my motives. 1 have no desire for oflice, not 
even the highest. The most exalted is but a prison, in 
which the incarcerated incumbent daily receives his 
cold, heartless visitants, marks his weary hours, and is 
cut olffrom the practical enjoyment of all the blessings 
of genuine freedom. I am no candidate for any office 
in the gift of the people of these States, united or sepa- 
rated ; I never wish, never expect to be. Pass this bill, 
tranquillize the country, restore confidence and aflection 
in the Union, and I am willing to go home to Ashland, 
and renounce public service for ever. I should there 
find, in its groves, under its shades, on its lawns, amidst 
my flocks and herds, in the bosom of my family, sincerity 
and truth, attachment, and fidelity, and gratitude, which 
I have not always found in the walks of public life. 
Yes, I have ambition ; but it is the ambition of being 
the humble instrument, in the hands of Providence, to 
reconcile a divided people ; once more to revive concord 
and harmony in a distracted land — the pleasing ambition 
of contemplating the glorious spectacle of a free, united, 
prosperous, and fraternal people !" 

During the famous debate on the Deposites question 
in the Senate, near the close of April, 1833, Mr. Leigh, 



HENRY CLAY. 149 

of Virginia, paid Mr. Clay a rich and merited compli- 
ment, for his services in allaying the spirit of Southern 
nullification. " I cannot but remember," said he, " when 
all men were trembling under the apprehension of civil 
war — trembling from the conviction, that if such a con- 
test should arise, let it terminate how it might, it would 
put our present institutions in jeopardy, and end either 
in consolidation or disunion; for I am pursuaded that the 
first drop of blood which shall be shed in a civil strife 
between the Federal Government and any State, will 
flow from an irremediable wound, that none may ever 
hope to see healed. I cannot but remember, that the 
President, though wielding such a vast power and influ- 
ence, never contributed the least aid to bring about the 
compromise that saved us from the evils which all men, 
I believe, and I, certainly, so much dreaded. The men 
are not present to whom we are chiefly indebted for that 
compromise ; and I am glad they are absent, since it 
enaWes me to speak of their conduct, as I feel I might 
not without, from a sense of delicacy. I raise my hum- 
ble voice in gratitude for that service, to Henry Clay of 
the Senate, and Robert P. Letcher, of the House of Re- 
presentatives." 

Before leaving the consideration of Mr, Clay's ardent 
nationality of spirit, we will subjoin one more extract, 
which is at once a good specimen of his style, and an 
admirable exposition of his own character as a politician. 
It is from an unpremeditated rejoinder to Mr. Rives, in 
the Senate, August 19th, 1841, in which he gave his 
famous definition o^ pullic virtue. 

" I rose not to say one word which should wound the 



150 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

feelings of President Tyler. The senator says that, if 
placed in like circumstances, I would have been the last 
man to avoid putting a direct veto upon the Bill, had it 
met my disapprobation ; and he does me the honor to 
attribute to me high qualities of stern and unbending in- 
trepidity. I hope, that in all that relates to personal 
firmness, all that concerns a just appreciation of the in- 
significance of human life — whatever may be attempted 
to threaten or alarm a soul not easily swayed by oppo- 
sition, or awed or intimidated by menace — a stout heart 
and a steady eye, that can survey, unmoved and un- 
daunted, any mere personal perils that assail this poor, 
transient, perishing frame, I may, without disparagement, 
compare with other men. But there is a sort of courage, 
which, I frankly confess it, I do not possess, a boldness 
to which I dare not aspire, a valor which I cannot covet. 
I cannot lay myself down in the way of the welfare and 
happiness of my country. That I cannot, I have not 
the courage to do. I cannot interpose the power*with 
which I may be invested, a power conferred not for my 

. personal benefit, nor for my aggrandizement, but for my 
country's good, to check her onward march to greatness 
and glory. I have not courage enough, I am too 

cowardly for that. I would not, I dare not, in the exer- 
cise of such a trust, lie down, and place my body across 
the path that leads my country to prosperity and happi- 
ness. This is a sort of courage widely different from 
that which a man may display in his private conduct 
and personal relations. Personal or private courage is 
totally distinct from that higher and nobler courage which 



HENRY CLAY. 151 

prompts the patriot to offer himself a voluntary sacrifice 
to his country's good/' 

" Nor did I say, as the senator represents, that the 
President should have resigned. I intimated no per- 
sonal wish or desire that he should resign. I referred to 
the fact of a memorable resignation in his public life. 
And what I did say was, that there were other alterna- 
tives before him besides Vetoing the Bill ; and that it was 
worthy of his consideration whether consistency did not 
require that the example which he had set when he had 
a constituency of one State, should not be followed when 
he had a constituency commensurate with the whole 
Union. Another alternative was, to suffer the Bill, 
without his signature, to pass into a law under the pro- 
visions of the Constitution. And I must confess, I see, 
in this, no such escaping by the back door, no such 
jumping out of the window, as the senator talks about. 
Apprehensions of the imputation of the want of firm- 
ness sometimes impels us to perform rash and inconside- 
rate acts. It is the greatest courage to be able to bear 
the imputation of the want of courage. But pride, 
vanity, egotism, so unamiable and offensive in private 
life, are vices which partake of the character of crimes, 
in the conduct of public affairs. The unfortunate vic- 
tim of these passions cannot see beyond the little, petty, 
contemptible circle of his own personal interests. All 
his thoughts are withdrawn from his country, and con- 
centrated on his consistency, his firmness, himself The 
high, the exalted, the sublime emotions of a patriotism, 
which, soaring toward heaven, rises far above all mean, 
low, or selfish things, and is absorbed by one soul-trans- 



152 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

pojiing thought of the good and the glory of one's 
count?'}/, are never felt in his impenetrable bosom. That 
patriotism tchich, catching its inspirations from the ijn- 
mortal God, and leaving at an immeasurable distance 
below all lesser, grovelling, personal interests and feel- 
ings, animates and prompts to deeds of self-sacrifice, of 
valor, of devotion, and of death itself — that is public 
virtue ; that is the noblest, the sublimest of all public 
vi?'t2ies !" 

Two prominent characteristics in Mr. Clay, we have 
ah'eady considered ; it remains, thirdly, to portray his 
impressive manner of address. In doing this it will be 
necessary to describe his person, his elocution, and the 
chief sources of his eloquence. 

In the first place, we would remark that perhaps the 
best general description of Mr. Clay's person is found 
in Uncle Sam's Letters, and is as follows : 

*' There is a tall, light-haired, blue-eyed, individual, 
sixty years old or more, who occupies a seat in the 
Senate, at the Capitol. He has not what would be 
called a handsome face, but one of the liveliest, or, if we 
may so speak, one of the most looJiing faces that ever 
fronted a head. It is because he has a lookinsr orscani- 
zation. You catch not him asleep or moping. He 
seems to see everybody that comes in or goes out. and 
besides to have an eye on, and an ear for, whatever honor- 
able senator may occupy the field of debate. If his 
own marked political game is on foot, he is then Nimrod, 
a mighty hunter. He can see just what fissure of in- 
consistency, nook of sophism or covert of rhetoric, is made 
a hiding-place. At the right moment, he aims a rifle 



HENRY CI AY. 153 

pretty sure to hit, if his powder is good ; and his friends 
say, that he uses the best. Grand fun it is, to stand by, 
and see this keen sportsman crack off, and especially to 
hear him wind "the mellow, mellow horn," which his 
mother gave him a long while ago, to leave our hunting- 
ground metaphor, for the plain beaten way, this indi- 
vidual veteran statesman from Kentucky. Now just 
come and look at his head, or seek his portrait, at least. 
You will see how his perceptives put themselves forth in 
front, as if they were reaching after their objects, as it were, 
for a long pull, and a strong pull, to fetch them into keeping. 
Then, in speech, with what ease, grace, order, and effect, 
he can fling forth his gatherings. His mind has been 
developed by the exciting circumstances of active life, 
rather than by the speculations of quiet books. Henry 
Clay is therefore ^ jj radical man. He is pre-eminently 
perceptive. He knows the \<1iom, the what, the where, 
the when, the which first, and the how many, as well, 
perhaps, as any public man living. A very long political 
life has put him to the test. We do not aver that he never 
made mistakes, or that he is politically and positively 
right ; we intimate, moreover, nothing to the contrary. 
We would simply convey, that of all the great states- 
men of our country, he particularly illustrates the facul 
ties just had under review." 

From this general statement, let us descend to more 
particular detail. Mr. Clay is reported to be exactly 
six feet one inch high ; he is not stout, but the op- 
posite ; has long arms, and small hands ; is always up- 
right in standing, walking, or talking ; and is particu- 
7* 



154 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

larly erect when engaged in debate. Seen in front, his 
countenance is impressive ; his profile is very striking. 
His visage is spare, mouth large, lips compressed, nose 
prominent, forehead retreating, hair light and thin, eyes 
rather small, blue, and, when kindled, sparkling with 
electric fire. Other traits will be more fully portrayed 
as we notice 

Secondly, his elocution. Mr. Clay is less graceful, than 
earnest, impressive and unrestrained ; free and wild as 
the elk of the forest, it is said all his gestures were in 
early manhood. A manifest harmony existed between 
the suggestions of his mind and the movements of his 
limbs, and this imparted an indescribable charm to his 
action. He did not vociferate with weary lungs and 
sweating brow, at the same time standing with listless 
hands, and elbows turned to his hips. Whenever he is 
in earnest, he talks all over, and there is a language in 
his limbs which says as clearly as that of the lips, " these 
were given to clasp the beautiful and cleave the 
wave." He seems exhilarated, like one mounted on a 
high-mettled courser; not that he seeks display, but a 
little curvetting accords well with his native spirits, and 
withal he is a little proud of his glorious steed. Its 
snort, its whinny, its impatient pawing of the earth, 
the elasticity of all its motions, and the full confidence 
the excited rider feels in its speed and force, elate him. 
He knows the steed beneath him will carry him any- 
where — leap any barrier, however formidable — will dis- 
tance any competitor, however fleet. In this orator 
especially, free will is bv.t necessity in play. 



HENRY CLAY. 155 

"The clattering of the golden reins which guide 
The thunder-footed couriers of the sun." 

Mr. Clay's voice has prodigious power, compass, and 
richness ; all its variations are captivating, but some of 
its base tones thrill through one's whole frame. To 
those who have never heard the living melody, no 
verbal description can convey an adequate idea of the 
diversified effect of those intonations which in one strain 
of sentiment fall in whispering gentleness, "like the 
first words of love upon a maiden's lips," and anon, in 
sterner utterances, " ring with the maddening music of 
the main." The magician is well aware of the seduc- 
tive power of his voice, and employs it with great effect 
in the moderate, as well as the more impassioned por- 
tions of his speeches. Such is its fascination, that the 
most familiar expressions take from it an air of novelty 
and dignity, and the more excitable in the audience, 
waiting for an eloquential pause, would say : 

" Thy sweet words drop upon the ear as soft 
As rose leaves on a well : and I could listen, 
As though the immortal melody of Heaven 
Were wrought into one word — that word a whisper, 
That whisper all I want from all I love." 

Consummate eloquence is the rarest, as well as the 
most valuable of gifts, because it is so uncommon to 
meet with one who has no less oratory in the tones of 
his voice, in the language of his eyes, and in the gene- 
ral air of his person, than in the profusion of his wis- 
dom and the choice of his words. In such rare in- 
stances, every sentiment will have an. intonation 



156 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

peculiar to itself, and both gestures and looks will be in 
exact keeping with what in language is expressed. It 
is this relation, true or false, that makes all the difference 
between the agreeable and disagreeable, pleasing and 
displeasing, among pubhc speakers. Fortunate indeed 
is he who has received from nature an engaging face 
and figure, a strong memory, vivid imagination, and 
sonorous tones of voice capable of being modulated 
with varied compass, so as to stimulate and excite an 
audience with the indescribable effects which have often 
been produced by Mr. Clay. His look and action 
vividly interpret his thought while he speaks, as Mi- 
chael Angelo found in the depth of his own mind and 
grandeur of conception, the means of rendering the 
immediate effect of will and power intuitive in the crea- 
tion of Adam, by darting life from the finger of Omni- 
potence in an effulgent ray ; and as the coalition of 
light and darkness opened to the entranced eye of Cor- 
reggio the means of embodying the Mosaic sentence 
" Let there be hght," in that stream of glory which, 
issuing from the Divine Infant in his Notte, proclaims a 
God. , 

Natural expression is the luminous image of actual 
passion, its spontaneous language and speaking portrait, 
always composed of simplicity, propriety, and energy, 
as its three invariable and most intelligent elements. 
! This is a great forte with Mr. Clay ; he can " light 
at will expression's brightest blaze." Mental vivacity 
animates the features, attitudes, and gestures, which 
nature has prompted, and long practice improved. 
Deep emotions, whose inward energy penetrate and 



HENRY CLAY. 157 

invest his supple form, render him exceedingly com- 
manding in action, and forcible in speech. Nothing 
can be more captivating than the smiles that some- 
times light up his countenance while speaking, not un- 
frequently succeeded by frowns as impressive, which 
outward language is as intimately mixed and strikingly 
expressed as the latent emotions of his mind. It pre- 
sents a pleasing series of effects, constituting diversified 
transitions and perpetual progress, each gleam, when its 
end is attained, giving place to another, and leaving no 
trace behind : 

"Brief as the lightning in the collled night, 
That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth ', 
And ere a man has time to say, behold ! 
The jaws of darkness do devour it up." 

Hazlitt has finely discriminated between nature 
elevated by genius and nature literally copied by talent, 
in his parallel between Raphael and Hogarth. The 
figures of the former, he says, are sustained by ideas; 
those of the latter are distorted by mechanical habits 
and instincts. " It is elevation of thought that gives 
grandeur and delicacy of expression to passion. The 
expansion and refinement of the soul are seen in the 
face, as in a mirror. An enlargement of purpose gives 
corresponding enlargement of form. The mind, as it 
were, acts over the whole body, and animates it equally, 
while petty and local interests seize on particular parts, 
and distract it by contrary and mean expressions. Now, 
if mental expression has this superior grandeur and 
grace, we can account at once for the superiority of 



158 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Raphael. For there is no doubt, that it is more difficult 
to give a whole continuously and proportionably than to 
give the parts separate and disjointed, or to diffuse the 
same subtle but powerful expression over a large mass 
than to caricature it in a single part or feature. The 
actions in Raphael are like a branch of a tree swept by 
the surging blast ; those in Hogarth like straws whirled 
and twitched about in the gusts and eddies of passion." 
What the great Italian was among artists, we hold 
Henry Clay to be among orators. He has a fine per- 
son, striking features, and, as we have said, a most fas- 
cinating manner of address ; but these are far from 
being his only or chief attributes. There is a mind in 
him, a moral power far more valuable to a statesman 
than all the vaunted arts of elaborated grace or affected 
elocution. Nature has given him a strong and clear 
understanding, which he has vigorously exercised on a 
great variety of political and moral topics. He has 
read many valuable authors, and pondered much on 
their principles. And yet he has never carried the 
habits of private meditation so far as to render him pro- 
fessional and didactic in his public life — has ever main- 
tained the freedom and force of an energetic leader, 
without assuming the part of an astute essayist or tire- 
some pedant. His speeches are more in conformity 
with the prevailing spirit and characteristics of the 
American people than any other extant ; wildly beau- 
tiful and earnestly grand, yet alternately gay and so- 
lemnly compressed to an extraordinary degree. When- 
ever he appears on the rostrum to discuss a great and 
exciting question, there is such clearness in his thought 



HENRY CLAY. 159 

and witchery in his manner that the entranced listener 
is inclined to say, 

" I love that voice 
Dipping more sof.ly on the subject ear 
Than that calm kiss the willow gives the wave — 
A soft, rich tone, a rainbow of sweet sounds, 
Just spanning the soothed sense." 

This leads us, in the third place, to consider some of 
the chief sources of Mr. Clay's eloquence. These are, 
we tliink, native enterprise, an ardent temperament, 
sagacious patriotism, and indomitable perseverance. 
We will illustrate these points in the order named. 

And first, had not Mr. Clay come into the world with 
a soul thoroughly imbued with the spirit of enterprise, 
he would have perished in the deep obscurity of his 
origin, unhonored and unsung. In a touching piece of 
auto-biography, contained in a speech delivered by him 
at Lexington, June 9, 1842, on the occasion of his re- 
tirement from public life, Mr. Clay puts this matter in 
a strong light. Said he : 

" In looking back upon my origin and progress 
through life, I have great reason to be thankful. My 
father died in 1781, leaving me an infant of too tender 
years to retain any recollection of his smiles or endear- 
ments. My surviving parent removed to this State in 
1792, leaving me a boy of fifteen years of age, in the 
office of the High Court of Chancery, in the city of 
Richmond, without guardian, without pecuniary means 
of support, to steer my course as I might or could. A 
neglected education was improved by my own irregular 



160 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA 

exertions, without the benefit of systematic instruction. 
I studied law principally in the office of a lamented 
friend, the late Governor Brooke, then Attorney Gene- 
ral of Virginia, and also under the auspices of the vene- 
rable and lamented Chancellor Wythe, for whom I had 
acted as an amanuensis. I obtained a license to practice 
the profession from the Judges of the Court of Appeals, 
of Virginia, and established myself in Lexington, in 
1797, without patrons, without the favor or countenance 
of the great or opulent, without the means of paying 
my weekly board, and in the midst of a bar uncom- 
monly distinguished by eminent members. I remember 
how comfortable I thought I should be, if I could make 
one hundred pounds Virginia money, per year, and 
with what delight I received the first fifteen shillings fee. 
My hopes were more than realized. I immediately 
rushed into a successful and lucrative practice. 

" In 1803 or 4, when I was absent from the county of 
Fayette at the Olympian Springs, without my knowledge 
or previous consent, I was brought forward as a candi- 
date, and elected to the general assembly of this State. 
1 served in that body several years, and was then trans- 
ferred to the senate, and afterwards to the House of Re- 
presentatives of the United States. I will not dwell on 
the subsequent events of my political life, or enumerate 
the offices which I have filled. During my public ca- 
reer, I have had bitter, implacable, reckless enemies. 
But if I have been the object of misrepresentation and 
unmerited calumny, no man has been beloved or hon- 
ored by more devoted, faithful, and enthusiastic friends. 
I have no reproaches, none, to make towards my coun- 



HENRY CI AY. 161 

try, which has distinguished and elevated me far beyond 
what I had any right to expect. I forgive my enemies, 
and hope they may live to obtain the forgiveness of their 
own hearts." 

Intimately associated with this native spirit of mag- 
nanimous enterprise in Mr. Clay, is his ardent tempera- 
ment. These are quahties which happily unite in him, 

'^ Like rays of stars that meet in space, 
And mingle in a bright embrace.'' 

The ardor of Mr. Clay's nature was strongly developed, 
and foretokened his fame, from the time he emigrated to 
Kentucky, " now nearly forty-five years ago," as he said 
on a memorable occasion. " I went as an orphan bov 
who had not yet attained the age of majority ; who had 
never recognized a father's smile, nor felt his warm ca- 
resses; poor, penniless, without the favor of the great, 
with an imperfect and neglected education, hardly suffi- 
cient for the ordinary business and common pursuits of 
life ; but scarce had I set my foot upon her generous 
soil, when I was embraced with parental fondness, ca- 
ressed as though I had been a favorite child, and patron- 
ized with liberal and unbounded munificence. From 
that period the highest honors of the State have been 
freely bestowed upon me ; and when, in the darkest hour 
of calumny and detraction, I seemed to be assailed by 
all the rest of the world, she interposed her broad and 
impenetrable shield, repelled the poisoned shafts that 
were aimed for my destruction, and vindicated my good 
name from every malignant and unfounded aspersion. 
I return with indescribable pleasure to linger a while 



162 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

longer, and mingle with the warnn-hearted and whole- 
souled people of that State ; and, when the last scene 
shall for ever close upon me, I hope that my earthly re- 
mains will be laid under her green sod with those of her 
gallant and patriotic sons." 

The Alien and Sedition Laws occasioned one of his 
earliest and most brilliant popular harangues. It is re- 
lated that on a certain occasion, the people were assem- 
bled in large numbers in a grove near Lexington, to 
listen to a discussion to come off between the advocates 
and opposers of these laws. The greatest interest had 
been awakened, extensive preparation made by the com- 
batants, and with the most inflammatory zeal they en- 
tered the lists. The historian of the scene goes on to 
say : 

" The assemblage was first addressed by Mr. George 
Nicholas, a gentleman of distinguished ability and com- 
manding eloquence. His effort is represented as having 
been one of great vigor, and characterized by that 
logical and philosophical acumen, for which he was so 
celebrated. When he ceased, the populace, wrought up 
to the highest degree of enthusiasm, poured out their 
rapturous applause. 'Clay,* 'Clay,' was now loudly 
called from all directions, and as he ascended the stand, 
it was clearly perceptible by his eagle eye and com- 
pressed lips, that no ordinary emotions were struggling 
in his bosom. As the spirit of the tempest finds the 
ocean when he descends in his mightiest energy, so he 
found the boisterous mass swelling to and fro like the 
surges of the deep. But he was at home, doing his legiti- 
mate work, pouring the oil of eloquence over a turbulent 



HENRY CLAY. ' 163 

sea ol passion, until its tumultuous heavings subsided 
and left one quiet, calm, and unruffled surface. The 
subject in his hands, appeared in a new light, and he 
soon succeeded in securing for it that attention which is 
accompanied with feelings too deep for utterance ; like 
those experienced by one standing on the edge of a cra- 
ter, gazing down into its fiery abyss. His predecessor 
had poured a flood of sunshine over the multitude, 
which caused those heartfelt, spontaneous out-gushings 
of joyful emotion, which are its usual concomitants. 
But his office was that of the lightning's flash and thun- 
der peal, hushing, awing, and subduing. When he 
closed there were no clamorous expressions, no deafen- 
ing shouts of applause, but something far more signifi- 
cant, he read in the quivering lips, indignant looks, and 
frowning brows around him ; and heard, in the deep 
low growl that came up, a much more flattering tribute 
to his talents. He was followed by Mr. William Mur- 
ray, an orator of great popularity, and well qualified to 
exhibit acceptably the merits of those laws, if indeed 
they possessed any. His efforts, however, were futile. 
The conviction of their pernicious tendency had been 
planted too deep in the minds of the people by Mr. 
Clay, to permit them to listen to their merits, or to al- 
low them to believe that they had any. He would not 
have been suffered to proceed had not the previous 
speakers urgently solicited permission. Another attempt 
was made to reply, but the people could be restrained 
no longer, and made a furious rush towards the place 
occupied by the speaker, who was compelled to make a 
precipitate retreat to escape personal violence. They 



164 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

now seized Nicholas and Clav, bore them on their 
shoulders to a carriage, and amid the most enthusiastic 
cheering, drew them through the streets of Lexington. 
A proud day was this for Mr. Clay ; a day in which he 
earned a far more glorious title than any that royal 
hands could confer upon him, that of the ' great com- 
moner.' It was the first of the bright days of the years 
of his fame — the sure precursor of that unfading chaplet 
which time was destined to bind about his brow." 

While yet young, Mr. Clay's eloquence partook of the 
warmth of his blood ; his speech was the fire of passion, 
tinged by the imagination of the South. When he en- 
tered the State Legislature, he immediately became a 
notable star. The fixed gaze of antagonists, excited 
crowds in the galleries, and earnest attention every- 
where, attested the advent of one of those grand actors 
in the political drama of the world, destined powerfully 
to agitate all parties, be applauded to the echo by mil- 
lions, and at the same time, the penalty of all true great- 
ness, be the object of most malignant hate. This is the 
result of extraordinary native force, the first look or 
syllable of which in a moment elevates its possessor im- 
mensely above all common men. The mode in which 
this truth was exemplified by Mr. Clay while in the 
Legislature of Kentucky, is forcibly described by one 
intimately acquainted with him. ' He appears to' have 
been the pervading spirit of the whole body. He never 
came to the debates without the knowledge necessary to 
the perfect elucidation of his subject, and he always had 
the power of making his knowledge so practical, and 
lighting it so brightly up with the fire of eloquence, and 



HENRY CLAY. 165 

the living soul of intellect, that without resorting to the 
arts of insidiousness, he could generally control the 
movements of the Legislature at will. His was not an 
undue influence ; it was the simple ascendancy of mind 
over mind. The bills which originated with him, in- 
stead of being characterized by the eccentricities and 
ambitious innovations which are too often visible in the 
course of young men of genius suddenly elevated to 
power and influence, were remarkable only for their 
plain common sense, and their tendency to advance the 
substantial interests of the State. Though he carried 
his plans into effect by the aid of the magical incanta- 
tions of the orator, he alwavs conceived them with the 
coolness and discretion of a philosopher. No subject 
was so great as to baffle his powers, none so minute as 
to elude them. He could handle the telescope and the 
microscope with equal skill. In him the haughty dema- 
gojTues of the Legislature found an antagonist who 
never failed to foil them in their bold projects, and the 
intriguers of lower degree were baffled with equal cer- 
tainty whenever they attempted to get any petty mea- 
sure through the house for their own personal gratifica- 
tion or that of their friends. The people, therefore, 
justly regarded him as emphatically their own." 

In some of the debates he conducted in those days, he 
must have been very eflfective. A gentleman who was 
present, describes his speech, as having been a perfect 
model. " Every muscle of the orator's face was at 
work; his whole body seemed agitated, as if each part 
was instinct with a separate life ; and his small white 
hand, with its blue veins apparently distended almost to 



166 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

bursting, moved gracefully, but w^ith all the energy of 
rapid and vehement gesture. The appearance of the 
speaker seemed that of a pure intellect, wrought up to 
its mightiest energies, and brightly glowing through the 
thin and transparent veil of flesh that enrobed it. His 
control over his auditory was most absolute and astonish- 
ing — now bathing them in tears, and now convulsing 
them with laughter, causing them to alternate between 
hope and fear, love and hate, at his bidding. When he 
concluded, scarcely a vestige of opposition remained, 
and the amended resolution was adopted, almost by ac- 
clamation," 

This talismanic power, so manifest in the eloquence 
of Mr. Clay, is not to be accredited to any one great 
faculty, but to the skillful use of many. In him no " life- 
less heap of embryo knowledge rests," but instead 
thereof, there is a great fund of practical wisdom, satu- 
rated with acute emotion, by which in the most power- 
ful manner, he is ever ready " passion to paint, and 
sentiment unfold." He neither indulges in long strains 
of vapid declamation, nor wearies with dry and insuflfera- 
ble details, but sagaciously mingles the two, knowing 
"that vice alike resides in each extreme." He thus 
most admirably conforms to nature, and in the progress 
of an extended demonstration banishes all tedium, by 
alternately painting " her midnight shadow, her meri- 
dian glow." 

When we .ook out on the mighty landscape, we see 
that rich, ample, and flowing robe which nature should 
wear on her throned eminence, hill united to hill, with 
sweeping train of forest, with prodigality of shade, as 



HENRY CLAY. 167 

she stands revealed in primitive magnificence, and not 
curtailed of her fair proportions, pinched and squeezed 
into artificial shapes by the contracted and prim notions 
of man. And so the spirit of true eloquence, adapting 
itself to different occasions and diversified styles, sub- 
dues by simplicity, commands by dignity, persuades by 
propriety, assuages by repose, charms by contrast, en- 
livens bv emotion, and renovates by truth. Reason is 
the potent leader, and all subordinates are imbued with 
the light and force that emanate from this centre, en- 
rapturing all with a cheerful gleam, and sometimes 
startling with a fearful flash. Nothing is beautiful and 
effective in popular speech that is not allied to light and 
shadow in the physical world, and is united to color and 
form. 

•"Tis still one principle through all extends, 
And leads through diflferent ways to different ends. 
Whate'er its essence, or whate'er its name, 
Whate'er its modes, 'tis still in all the same : 
'Tisjust congruity of parts combined, 
To please the sense and satisfy the mind." 

Mr. Clay's eloquence, like the firm trunk of a gnarled 
oak, adorned and half concealed by honeysuckles and 
wild roses, reverses the image of lole dressed in the 
Lion's skin — it is the club of Hercules adorned by her 
with wreaths of flowers. His style is of a new order, 
conceived and executed in a very bold and difficult man- 
ner, the aggregated beauty and magnificence of Gre- 
cian symmetry, Gothic picturesqueness, and the irregu- 
lar firmness of a feudal castle. Some of his speeches 



168 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

suggest the idea of easy and rapid motion, like Milton's 
battle of the angels : 

"Light as the lightning glimpse they ran, they flew. ' 
From their foundations loos'ning to and fro, 
They pluck'd the seated hills with all their load, 
Rocks, waters, woods, and by the shaggy tops, 
Uplifting, bore them in their hands." 

Others impress with the grandeur of massiveness, re- 
sistance to motion, if not absolute immobility, as is fine- 
ly marked in the same book : 

" Under his burning wheels 
The steadfast empyrean shook throughout, 
All but the throne itself of God." 

Sagacious patriotism was the third element which we 
mentioned as a prolific source of Mr. Clay's eloquence. 
From his first entrance upon political life, he seems 
strongly and habitually to have felt the power of reason 
upon the masses, and always to have treated the popular 
judgment with profound respect. Hence he has been 
frank and fearless in avowing his principles on all occa- 
sions, to all men. All his faculties were early trained 
for popular discussion: even his enthusiasm was ren- 
dered skillful and reflective in dealing out arguments 
and appeals indiscriminately to those who came in his 
way. He is said to have been the first man who went 
through a stumping campaign with unwavering dignity. 

Mr. Clay has ever been true to his own conceptions ; 
and such a speaker, if he is not always right, is certain 
to be always strong. Of all Americans, he is the orator 



HENRY CLAY. 169 

of political actualities; never dreamy or metaphysical; 
seldom embodying the largest or the highest philosophical 
dogmas, but applying the simplest principles to the most 
romprehensive concerns of his countrymen in their 
clashing interests, and continual conflicts, and in these 
patriotic effbrts working out, with a power rarely sur- 
passed, the objects which he aimed to accomplish. Con- 
template him, for instance, when he braved the arro- 
gance of England, in the beginning, progress and end 
of the war of 1812. His chivalrous bearing, patriotic 
indignation, and diplomatic skill, remind one of Michael, 
chief of the heavenly warriors, sent to banish the guilty 
pair from Paradise. 

" Not in his shape celestial, but as man 
Clad to meet man : over his lucid arms 
While military vest of purple flow'd ; 
His starry helm unbuckled showM him prime 
In manhood, where jouth ended; by his side, 
As in a glist'ning zodiac, hung the sword, 
Satan's dire dread, and in his hand the spear." 

Moreover, jNIr. Clay never underrates the connection 
between words and deeds, nor forgets the power which 
speech ever exercises on the common mind, and that 
most extensively in times of great excitement and- na- 
tional convulsion. As he had introduced into congres- 
sional affairs an element of high moral enthusiasm, 
springing from his own ardent and magnanimous spirit, so 
was he in turn acted upon by the kindled passions of the 
people at largexas'well as by his dignified associates, and 
in a few years attained the dizzy height whereon he was 
recognized by all the world as the sagacious patriot who, 

8 



170 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

in a pre-eminent degree, impersonated the cause of 
America. Reliance on exalted principles, and resolute 
action guided by them, had conferred on him a glory 
and a name, " known, sun like, in all nations." This 
well-earned reputation he not only preserved but en- 
hanced when, to allay the consternation kindled by South 
Carolina, v^ith a bold and masterly hand he sketched the 
outlines of an honorable compromise, and colored the 
design with the most soothing hues of loftiest patriotism. 

But the hour when Mr. Clay seems most to have felt 
that the eyes of the world were upon him, when he most 
unfolded the native majesty of his character, and stood 
serenely on the sublimest height, was the memorable 
scene when he took leave of the Senate, March 31, 
1 842. Art and eloquence have made that event historical 
and attractive for ever. The closing paragraphs of Mr. 
Clay's address were as follows : 

" That my nature is warm, my temper ardent, my dis- 
position, especially in relation to the public service, en- 
thusiastic, I am ready to own ; and those who suppose 
that I have been assuming the dictatorship, have only 
mistaken for arrogance or assumption that ardor and 
devotion which are natural to my constitution, and which 
I may have displayed with too little regard to cold, cal- 
culating, and cautious prudence, in sustaining and zeal- 
ously supporting important national measures of policy 
which I have presented and espoused. 

" In the course of a long and arduous public service, 
especially during the last eleven yeai's in which I have 
neld a seat in the Senate, from the same ardor and en- 
thusiasm of character, 1 have no doubt, in the heat of 



HENRY CLAY. 171 

debate, and in an honest endeavor to maintain mv 
opinions against adverse opinions alike honestly entei 
tained, as to the best course to be adopted for the pub 
lie welfare, I may have often inadvertently and uninter? 
tionally, in moments of excited debate, made use of Ian 
guage that has been offensive, and susceptible of injuri 
ous interpretation toward my brother Senators. L 
there be any here w^ho retain wounded feelings of injur\ 
or dissatisfaction produced on such occasions, I beg to 
assure them that I now offer the most ample apology for 
any departure on my part from the established rules ot 
parliamentary decorum and courtesy. On the other 
hand, I assure the Senators, one and all, without excep- 
tion and without reserve, that I retire from this chamber 
without carrying with me a single feeling of resentment 
or dissatisfaction to the Senate or any one of its mem- 
bers. 

" I go from this place under the hope that we shall 
mutually consign to perpetual oblivion whatever personal 
collisions may at an}'- time unfortunately have occurred 
between us ; and that our recollections shall dwell in 
future only on those conflicts of mind with mind, those 
intellectual struggles, those noble exhibitions of the 
powers of logic, argument, and eloquence, honorable to 
the Senate and to the nation, in which each has sousrht 
and contended for what he deemed the best mode of ac- 
complishing one common object, the interests and happi- 
ness of our beloved country. To these thrilling and 
delightful scenes it will be my pleasure and my pride to 
ook back in my retirement with unmeasured satisfaction 

" May the most precious blessings of Heaven rest 



172 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

upon the whole Senate, and each member of it, and may 
the labors of every one redound to the benefit of the 
nation and the advancement of his own fame and re- 
nown. And when you shall retire to the bosom of your 
constituents, may you receive that most cheering and 
gratifying of all human rewards — their cordial greeting 
of, ' Well done, good and faithful servant.' 

" And now, Mr. President, and Senators, 1 bid you all 
a long, a lasting, and a friendly farewell." 

In delineating the sources of Mr. Clay's eloquence, 
we have spoken of his enterprising spirit, his ardent 
temperament, and sagacious patriotism. In conclusion, 
let us glance at the fourth, and a fundamental quality, 
his indomitable perseverance. 

Confidence or courage is conscious ability — the sense 
of power — which it is often difficult to attain, but which 
is a quality indispensable to eminent success. A well 
known anecdote commemorates the timidity natural to 
genius in its first efforts, and under which Mr. Clay was 
embarrassed in the commencement of his public career. 
In a debating society of which he for sometime had been 
an observant but silent member, a question had been dis- 
cussed at considerable length and apparently with much 
ability, on which the customary vote was about to be 
taken, when he observed in an under tone to a person 
seated by him, "the subject does not seem to be ex- 
hausted." The individual addressed, exclaimed, " do 
not put the question yet, Mr. Clay will speak." The 
chairman by a smile and nod of the head signified his 
willingness to allow the discussion to be continued by 
him, who thereupon arose under every appearance of 



HENRY CLAY. 173 

trepidation and embarrassment. The first words that 
fell from his Hps were, "Gentlemen of the jmy." His 
embarrassment now was extreme; blushing, hesitat- 
ing, and stammering, he repeated the words, " Gen- 
tlemen of the jury." The audience evinced gen- 
uine politeness and good breeding, by seeming not 
to notice his peculiarly unpleasant and trying con- 
dition. Suddenly regaining his self-possession, he 
made a speech of such force and eloquence, as to 
carry conviction and astonishment at once to the 
hearts of his hearers. Subsequently he took a promi- 
nent part in the debates of the society, and became one 
of its most efficient members. 

An adept is not afraid of undertaking what he knows 
he can do better than any one else, but it requires no 
little practice to acquire this habitual self-possession. 
Even the most experienced veterans are often discon- 
certed, when out of their own sphere, they are sum- 
moned to the most familiar and easy tasks. Garrick 
was once subpoenaed on a friend's trial ; when he appear- 
ed before the court, though he had for thirty years been 
in the habit of speaking with the greatest self-reliance in 
the presence of thousands, yet the instant he appeared 
in an unusual situation, he became so perplexed and 
confused, that he was actually sent from the witness' 
box by the judge, as a man from whom no evidence 
could be gotten. Charles Fox felt no diffidence in ad- 
dressinsj the House of Commons, but was reserved and 
silent in company, having no confidence in his own col- 
loquial powers, or talent for WTiting. As a man is 
strong, so is he bold ; but his confident strength is at 



174 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

ease onlv in a walk which impulse or necessity has ren- 
dered most familiar. In the case of young Clay, as 
with Fox, the torrent of eloquence rushed upon him 
from his knowledge of the subject and his interest in it, 
as soon as he was once fairly on his feet in spontaneous 
speech, and he went on to the amazement of his audi- 
ence, unchecked and unbidden, without once thinking 
of himself, or his initiatory blunder. Subsequent prac- 
tice, severe and unremitting, fortified Mr. Clay with 
self-possession, which no finite power could disturb. He 
became foremost among 

" The men that glorious law who taught, 
Unshrinking liberty of thought, 
And roused the nations with the truth sublime.'" 

The persevering efforts made by Mr. Clay to preserve 
and transmit to future generations the invaluable insti- 
tutions we enjoy, were finely indicated by him on the 
15th of August, 1824, when, as Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, he received General Lafayette, with 
an apposite and beautiful address, of which the following 
is an extract: 

" The vain wish has been sometimes indulged, that 
Providence would allow the patriot, after death, to return 
to his country, and to contemplate the intermediate 
change that had taken place, to view the forests felled, 
the cities built, the mountains levelled, the canals cut, 
the highways constructed, the progress of the arts, the 
advancement of learning, and the increase of population. 
General, your present visit to the United States, is a 
realization of the consoling object of that wish. You are 



HENRY CLAY. 175 

in the midst of posterity. Ev^ery where you must have 
been struck with the great changes, physical and moral, 
which have occurred since you left us. Even this city, 
bearing a venerated name, alike endeared to you and to 
us, has since emerged from the forest which then cov- 
ered its site. In one respect you find us unaltered, and 
that is, in the sentiment of continued devotion to liberty, 
and of ardent affection and profound gratitude to your 
departed friend, the father of his country, and to you, 
and to your illustrious associates in the field and the 
cabinet, for the multiphed blessings which sun^und us, 
and for the very privilege of addressing you, which I now 
exercise. This sentiment, now fondly cherished by more 
than ten millions of people, will be transmitted with una- 
bated vigor, down the tide of time, through the countless 
millions who are destined to inhabit this continent, to the 
latest posterity.'* 

That Mr. Clay designs to persevere to the last mo- 
ment of existence on earth in his patriotic course, is evi- 
dent from his character, and the declaration he made at 
a complimentary dinner, given him wheH about to re- 
turn home finally from Washington. In a speech on 
that occasion, he alluded to his public career, and the 
duties of citizenship, in the following beautiful language : 
•' Whether I shall ever hereafter take any part in the 
public councils or not, depends upon circumstances be- 
yond my control. Holding the principle that a citizen, 
as long as a single pulsation remains, is under an obliga- 
tion to exert his utmost energies in the service of his 
country, if necessary, whether in a public or private sta- 
tion, my friends here and everywhere may res- assured, 



176 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

that, in either condition, I shall stand erect, with a spirit 
unconqiiered, while life endures, ready to second their 
exertions in the cause of liberty, the union and the na- 
tional prosperity." 

In summing up what we have to say on the charac- 
ter and eloquence of Mr. Clay, we remark that he pos- 
sesses the richest facility of fluent and sonorous speech, 
an imposing elocution, a deep and melodious voice, a 
fine, commanding figure, perfect familiarity with parlia- 
mentary forms, and an adroit potency in debate which 
can rai||ly or never be either disconcerted or overcome. 
His sensibility is acute, and this is supported by equal 
comprehension, elevation of mind and dignity of action ; 
his sentiments are draped with propriety and enforced 
with reason. His st3de is levelled to his subject, and he 
preserves it both equally remote from grovelling inanity 
and transcendental bombast. 

Possessed naturally of an impetuous temperament and 
glowing imagination, he early disciplined himself into 
oratorical habits admirably suited to a mind of keen 
social perception, and not less adapted to the rapturous 
expression of exquisite emotion. In his eloquence, wit 
emerges from and blends with wisdom, as is symbolized 
by the natural parks of oak which abound on his estate ; 
the old foliage forms a dark background, on which the 
new appears, relieved and detached in all its freshness 
and brilliancy — it is spring engrafted on summer. His 
nature is genial, full of the acutest sensibility to emotion, 
and this through all his life has been combined with a 
profusion of creative political genius in a great variety 
of public manifestations. This is a power not imbibed 



HENRY CLAY. 177 

from without, but evolved directly from his own soul. 
Not that he has grown up isolated from the world and 
its tumultuous scenes ; no man has been more influenced 
by the active age, whose practical development and uti- 
lity he has contributed so much to promote. It is clear 
that from early youth to maturest manhood, at each 
step, 

" He drew his light from what he was amidst, 
As doth a lamp which hath itself 
Matter of light, although it show it not. His 
Was but the power to light what might be lit."* 

Mr. Clay's method of artistic execution resembles that 
of Reubens, who did not keep pictures by him for years 
to dwell on, muse on, and dream of, but sketched, co- 
lored and perfected them at once. This, however, is the 
result of patient practice, and not a substitute for it. 
From early youth, Mr. Clay's application has been in- 
tense and perpetual; each pursuit with him, every new 
effort and success, being only another step toward a yet 
higher achievement. However affluent in original en- 
dowments, he knew full well that the best powers of his 
mind could be developed only by incessant practice. 
Thus did he come at length to bear down all opposition 
by his breadth, brightness, and depth of eloquence, qua- 
lities which, in him, defy all successful rivalship in polit- 
ical discussion. 

In the rigid forms of argument which set foward the 

most convincing proofs of the justice of a cause, Mr. 

Clay may be excelled by more than one of his cotempo- 

raries ; but, in his happier efforts, he surpasses them all 

8* 



178 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. . 

in splendor and pungency of appeal, based on disci- 
plined vehemence of spirit. He not only convinces, but 
dazzles and inflames. If the mere effervescence of 
' \ssion sometimes appears in blinding copiousness, it as 
suddenly sinks like foam into the mighty billows which 
bore it, and clear reason, like a fresh-blown trumpet, 
moves severely on. It is a rare compound of the lighter 
and sterner attributes of speech, which, because it is the 
excellence of natural power, equally affects all. The 
oak, as lily, feels the lighter breeze ; and minds above, 
as well below, medium range, are swayed alike by the 
truthful utterances of an excited soul. When fully 
aroused in collision with worthy antagonists, every fibre 
of this orator vibrates under the action of his mighty 
mind, "as heaven quakes under its own thunders." Not 
that he loses the power of self-control, or becomes in "any 
way distorted ; he is never more symmetrical and capti- 
vating than when winging the swiftest darts and tri- 
umphing over the fiercest foes. In the noblest statue of 
Apollo which has been preserved, dignity is intimately 
connected with beauty ; the union has produced the 
highest exemplification of masculine charms, of which 
we have any model, and is an admirable type of Henry 
Clay. His mind blends and reproduces the elements of 
truth and power in natural eloquence, as a mirror im- 
parts a peculiar freshness and tenderness to the diversi- 
fied hues it reflects. 

It is vain to look for much literary excellence in 
the tumultous scenes wherein Mr. Clay has all his life- 
time been compelled to move. Instead of reclining idly 
in the peaceful valleys which poets love to celebrate, he 



HENRY CLAY. 179 

has grown old in battling bravely in the dusty arena 
where politics ascend the tripod, transformed into a 
Sibyl unromantic to the last degree. Mr. Randolph, in 
a strain of most scorching irony, in debate indulged in 
some personal taunts towards Mr. Clay, commiserating 
his ignorance and limited education, to whom Mr. Clay 
replied by saying, '• Sir, the gentleman from Virginia 
was pleased to say, that in one point, at least, he coin- 
cided with me — in an humble estimate of my gramma- 
tical and philological acquirements. I know my defi- 
ciences. I was born to no proud patrimonial estate 
from my father. I inherited only infancy, ignorance, 
and indigence ; I feel my defects ; but so far as my 
situation in early life is concerned, I may without pre- 
sumption say, they are more my misfortune than my 
fault. But, however I deplore my inability to furnish 
to the gentleman a better specimen of powers of verbal 
criticism, I will venture to say my regret is not greater 
than the disappointment of this committee, as to the 
strength of his argument." This retort is highly honor- 
able to its author, inasmuch as it is at once courteous, 
caustic, and true. He is the architect of his own for- 
tunes, and however numerous may be his defects, his 
undoubted excellences would do honor to the most 
favored man. 

Mr. Clay's eloquence is pre-eminently that of exalted 
statesmanship, exercising which in diffusing light and 
liberty throughout the world, he rejoices, as does the 
brave in his " keen, flashing sword, and his strong arm's 
swift swoop." Strongly imbued with the sentiment of 
country, among all our public men many think him the 



180 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

most American. This is undoubtedly his highest merit. 
Abounding little in learned quotation, classical erudi- 
tion, or literary decoration, he is studded all over w^ith 
the richest vestiges of patriotic genius, " racy of the 
soil." He is eminently the orator of humanity ; less 
logical and less elevated than one or two of his com- 
peers, but more insinuating, more potent on our hearts 
as we listen, the warm and invincible master of the 
sympathies. He has measured weapons with the migh- 
tiest, and proved himself equal to any arm. Once, in 
particular, in defending a favorite bill, he had to en- 
counter much and strong opposition, at the head of 
which stood Daniel Webster. The collision of these 
eloquent and intellectual giants, is said to have been 
inconceivably grand. Says a gentleman who witnessed 
it, "the eloquence of Mr. Webster was the majestic 
roar of a strong and steady blast, pealing through the 
forest ; but that of Mr. Clay was the tone of a god-like 
instrument, sometimes visited by an angel touch, and 
swept anon by all the fury of the raging elements." Mr. 
Clay, aware that he was contending for the very vital- 
ity of his country, had nerved himself up to one of his 
mightiest efforts, one which would demolish every op- 
posing obstacle, and plant his foot in complete triumph 
on the ruins of the strongest holds of his assailants. He 
turned aside every weapon directed against his system, 
and entirely disarmed all opposition. 

We know that this great statesman of the West is bold 
and indomitable ; perhaps he has too ardently aspired 
after both power and popularity, but in the main it must 
be confessed that he has made his personal ambition sub- 



HENRY CLAY. 181 

servient to purposes the most magnanimous and grand. 
In debating talent he has been but very rarely equalled. 
In moral enthusiasm, practically employed in political 
and forensic warfare, he has never been excelled. A 
fiery splendor flows naturally from his ardent heart, and 
as it spreads over listening multitudes, the efiect upon 
all who catch his tones, or comprehend his words is 
prodigious. The whole nation listens, and the millions 
everywhere who speak our vernacular, with thrilled 
bosoms attest the potency of his genial style. Others 
can reason dryly, or declaim vapidly, but it has been his 
peculiar prerogative more than once to raise the spirit 
of America far beyond the height to which any other 
hero has carried it, imbuing all classes with the firmest 
and most impassioned patriotism. 

" Thou raised'st ihy voice, and the people, awaking, 

Beheld the foul source of corruption display'd \ 
And, loyal stupidity quickly forsaking, 

They found themselves plunder'd, oppress'd^ and betray'd, 
Then, loud as the storm in its fury out-rushing, 

The shouts of the thousands for freedom arose ; 
And liberty only shall soothe them to hushing, 

And liberty only shall lull to repose." 



^» 



CHAPTER IV. 



JOHN C. CALHOUN, 

THE METAPHYSICIAN. 

Considered in respect to his natural ability, acquired 
talents, past career, and present position, one of the 
most interesting and historical characters of our land, is 
John Caldwell Calhoun. He was born in Abbeville 
District, South Carolina, March 18th, 1782. His grand- 
father emigrated with his family from Ireland, and set- 
tled, in 1733, in Pennsylvania. His father was then six 
years old. At a subsequent period, the family removed 
to Western Virginia ; but upon Braddock's defeat, the 
settlement was broken up, and, in 1756, they went to 
South Carolina. 

John C. was the third son in a family of five children. 
'^ Both parents were exemplary for piety and virtue. 
The father was a hardy and enterprising pioneer ; but 
unlike most of that class, he placed a high value upon 
education. Though he was entirely self-taught, and 
lived the greater part of his life on the frontier, surrounded 
by danger, he made himself an excellent English scholar, 
and an accurate and skillful surveyor, which profession 
he long followed. He was the first member ever elected 





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JOHN C. CALHOUN. 183 

to the Provincial Legislature, from the interior of South 
Carolina. Of this body, and the State Legislature, after 
the Revolution, he continued a member for thirty years, 
without intermission, except for a single term, until his 
death, in 1796. He was a zealous whig, and a disin- 
terested patriot." The son seems to have become the 
vindicator of " State Rights," very legitimately, for it is 
recorded that his conscientious father opposed the 
adoption of the Federal Constitution, on the ground that 
it conferred rights on Congress incompatible with the 
sovereignty of the States. Who can estimate the force 
of hereditary character, and early prepossessions ? 

At thirteen years of age, young Calhoun was placed 
at the Academy of his brother-in-law. Rev. Dr. Waddel, 
one of the most distinguished teachers in the South. 
Here he prosecuted his studies for some time, and made 
ample use of a circulating library, especially in the de- 
partment of history. In the course of fourteen weeks, 
he is said to have read Rollin's Ancient History, Robert- 
son's Charles V. and America, Voltaire's Charles XII., 
the large edition of Cooke's Voyages, the first volume of 
Locke on the Human Understanding, and several other 
works. Neglecting his meals and rest, with such avidity 
did he engage in literary pursuits, his countenance grew 
pallid, his eyes were injured, and his whole frame be- 
came emaciated. His widowed mother, fearing the 
consequences of such application, took him home, and 
the ardent student, forgetting his books, soon became as 
passionately fond of agricultural labors and rural sports. 
Though the progress of his mental education was thus 
for some years arrested, his rugged pursuits laid the 



^84 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

foundation of a hardy constitution, and gave him a fund 
of practical knowledge of the greatest value. 

In 1800, at the earnest importunity of his older 
brother, John turned his attention once more to a classi- 
cal education, and placed himself again under the tuition 
of Dr. Waddel, who had re-opened his Academy in Co- 
lumbia County, Georgia. He was then eighteen years 
old ; and his progress was so rapid, that in two years 
time, he was enabled to join the junior class at Yale Col- 
lege, in the Autumn of 1802. 

It is said that in that institution he took a high grade 
in all the studies ; being greatly distinguished for depth 
and sagacity of intellect. In political opinions, he dif- 
fered widely from the president. Dr. Dwight, with whom 
he had frequent discussions, but always of a friendly 
character. Once in the course of a recitation in Paley's 
Philosophy, the Doctor expressed a doubt, " whether the 
consent of the governed, was the only just origin of le- 
gitimate government ?" This caused an animated de- 
bate between him and his pupil, which held the class in 
delighted suspense till dinner, in the course of which, 
the student evinced such depth of thought, and such 
power of argument and eloquence, that his dignified and 
wise antagonist unequivocally predicted his future fame. 
Said he to a friend, " That young man has talents 
enough to be President of the United States." 

Such an encomium was justified not only by moral 
habits remarkably correct, for one of his age and tem- 
perament, but by those native and acquired powers 
of mind, which enabled him, in just four years after 
commencing the Latin Grammar, to graduate with the 



JOHN C. CALHDUN. 185 

highest honors, at the head of a large and talented class. 
The oration prepared for that occasion was on -" The 
qualifications necessary to a perfect statesman." 

On his return home, he enrolled himself a student of 
law, with H. W. Desaussure, but soon after went again 
to New England, and entered the Litchfield law school, 
where for eighteen months under the Judges Reeve 
and Gould, he made great advancement. "The morn- 
ing was devoted to law, the rest of the day to gene- 
ral literature and political science, and he cultivated, 
with especial care, extemporaneous speaking. It was 
in the debating society of this place, where the most 
agitating political topics of the day were discussed be- 
fore crowded meetings, that Mr. Calhoun who was ever 
the champion of the republican side, first developed his 
great powers of parliamentary debate. It was his 
custom, even then, to prepare by reflection, and not by 
arranging on paper, what he meant to say, nor by taking 
notes of the arguments of others. A good memory pre- 
served the order of his own thoughts, and a wonderful 
power of analysis and classification enabled him to digest 
rapidly, and distribute in their proper places, the answer 
and refutation of all the arguments of the speakers, 
however numerous, whom he followed. In I80G, he 
returned to South Carolina, and in 1807 commenced, in 
his native district, a lucrative practice, ranking, from 
the very outset, with the most eminent lawyers in his 
circuit." 

The above details throw sufficient light, perhaps on 
the preliminary training of Mr. Calhoun. Let us, in the 
next place, contemplate him as he enters more prominent- 



186 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

ly on political life. The affair of the Chesapeake was 
the occasion of his first being brought into distinguished 
notice. A public meeting was called at Abbeville Court 
House, and Mr. Calhoun was one of the committee 
appointed to draft an address and resolutions. By re- 
quest also he was expected to make a speech. When 
the day and hour arrived, a great assembly of the people 
were in attendance. It was his first appearance before 
the public in the form of popular address, but, trying aa 
the situation was, he acquitted himself in a manner that 
excited enthusiastic approbation. Soon after, he was 
proposed as a candidate for the next legislature, and de- 
spite popular prejudice against the election of a lawyer, 
he was chosen by a large majority. He remained in 
this office two sessions, and distinguished himself for 
that mental force and political sagacity, for which he 
has since proved himself so remarkable. 

Having been elected by a vast majority to represent 
the district composed of Abbeville, Newbury, and Lau- 
rens, he took his seat in Congress in the autumn of 1811, 
at the commencement of the first session of the twelfth 
Congress. His reputation had preceded him, and imme- 
diately after he first entered the Capitol, Mr. Calhoun 
was appointed on the Committee of Foreign Relations, 
in conjunction with Mr. Peter B. Porter and Mr. Grundy, 
of the administration side, and Mr. Randolph and Mr. 
Key, of the opposition. That Committee made an able 
report, on which the discussions of the session chiefly 
turned, and which recommended an immediate appeal to 
arms against the aggressions of England. John Ran- 
dolph made an able and eloquent speech against the 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 187 

measures proposed. Mr. Calhoun's first effort in Con- 
gress was a reply to the powerful antagonist of Roanoke, 
and in defence of immediate redress for the injuries our 
commerce had received. Public excitement, says a 
historian, was strong, the house crowded, and the orator, 
rising with the greatness of the occasion, delivered a 
speech, which for lofty patriotism, cogent reasoning, and 
soul-stirring eloquence, has seldom been equalled. It 
met unbounded and universal applause. He was com- 
pared to "one of the old sages of the old Congress, with 
the graces of youth." and the " young Carolinian" was 
hailed as "one of the master spirits, who stamp their 
name upon the age in which they live." 

The speech referred to above has been preserved, and 
it is worthy of observation how strongly the logical 
peculiarities of the orator appear therein, at a time, too, 
when there was every temptation to rhetorical excess. 
For example, take the passage wherein he replies to Mr. 
Randolph's statement of the financial impracticability 
of the war : 

" Before I proceed to answer the gentleman particu- 
larly, let me call the attention of the house to one cir- 
cumstance ; that is, that almost the whole of his argu- 
ments consisted of an enumeration of evils always 
incident to war, however just and necessary ; and that, 
if they have any force, it is calculated to produce un- 
qualified submission to every species of insult and 
injury. 1 do not feel myself bound to answer arguments 
of the above description ; and if I should touch on them, 
it will be only incidentally, and not for the purpose of 
serious refutation. The first argument of the gentleman 



188 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

which I shall notice, is the unprepared state of the, 
country. Whatever weight this argument might have, 
in a question of immediate war, it surely has little in 
that of preparation for it. If our country is unprepared, 
let us remedy the evil as soon as possible. Let the gen- 
tleman submit his plan; and if a reasonable one, I doubt 
not it will be supported by the house. But, sir, let us 
admit the fact and the whole force of the argument ; 1 
ask whose is the fault ? Who has been a member for 
many years past, and has seen the defenceless state of 
his country even near home, under his own eyes, with- 
out a single endeavor to remedy so serious an evil? 
Let him not say, " I have acted in a minority." It is no 
less the duty of the minority than a majority to endeavor 
to serve our country. For that purpose we are sent 
here, and not for that of opposition. We are next told 
of the expenses of the war, and that the people will not 
pay taxes. Why not ? Is it a want of capacity ? 
What, with one million tons of shipping ; a trade of 
near one hundred million dollars ; manufactures of one 
r hundred and fifty million dollars, and agriculture of 
, thrice that amount, shall we be told the country 
^^ wants capacity to raise and support ten thousand or fif- 
teen thousand additional regulars? No; it has the 
ability, that is admitted ; but will it not have the disposi- 
tion ? Is not the course a just and necessary one ? 
Shall we then utter this libel on the nation ? Where 
will proof be found of a fact so disgraceful ? It is said, 
in the history of the country twelve or fifteen years ago. 
The case is not parallel. The ability of the country 
las greatly increased since. The object of that tax was 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 189 

unpopular. But on this, as well as my memory and al- 
most infant observation at tliat time serve me, the objec- 
tion was not to the tax, or its amount, but the mode of 
collection. The eye of the nation was frightened by 
the number of officers; its love of liberty shocked with 
the multiplicity of regulations. We, in the vile spirit of 
imitation, copied from the most oppressive part of Euro- 
pean laws on that subject, and imposed on a young and 
virtuous nation ail the severe provisions made necessary 
by corruption and long-growing chicane. If taxes 
should become necessary, I do not hesitate to say the 
people will pay cheerfully. It is for their government 
and tlieir cause, and would be their interest and duty to 
pay. But it may be, and I believe was said, that the 
nation will not pay taxes, because the rights violated are 
not worth defending ; or that the defence will cost more 
than tiie profit. 

"Sir, I here enter my solemn protest against this low 
and 'calculating avarice' entering this hall of legisla- 
tion. It is only fit for shops and counting-houses, and 
ought not to disgrace the seat of sovereignty by its 
squalid and vile appearance. Whenever it touches 
sovereign power, the nation is ruined. It is too short- 
sighted to defend itself. It is an unpromising spirit, 
always Veady to yield a part to save the balance. It is 
too timid to have in itself the laws of self-preservation. 
It is never safe but under the shield of honor. Sir, I 
only know of one principle to make a nation great, to 
produce in this country not the form but real spirit of 
union, and that is, to protect every citizen in the lawful 
pursuit of his business. He will then feel that he is 



J90 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

backed by the government — that its arm is his arms, and 
will rejoice in its increased strength and prosperity. 
Protection and patriotism are reciprocal. This is the 
road that all great nations have trod. Sir, I am not 
versed in this calculating policy, and will not, therefore, 
pretend to estimate in dollars and cents the value ot 
national independence or national affection*. I cannot 
dare to measure in shillings and pence the misery, the 
stripes and the slavery of our impressed seamen ; nor 
even to value our shipping, commercial and agricultural 
losses under the orders in council and the British system 
of blockade. I hope I have not condemned any pru- 
dent estimate of the means of a country, before it enters 
on a war. This is wisdom, the other folly." 

On the retirement of General Porter from Congress 
early in the session of 1811, Mr. Calhoun was placed at 
the head of the Committee on Foreign Relations, which 
committee, in addition to their other appropriate duties, 
were called upon to report bills to carry into effect the 
military preparations they had recommended. Thus, by 
circumstances, as well as by natural competency, was 
he at this early period in the front rank of the brave 
party, which sustained the war with England. 

When we come more particularly to analyze the elo- 
quence of Mr. Calhoun, we shall point out more spe- 
cifically his short and pregnant sentences, disregard of 
oratorical conventionalities, and bold directness of dic- 
tion. But we cannot help remarking in view of his 
earliest efforts, the marked and characteristic features of 
his most mature productions. In the former, as in the 
atter, are displayed those remarkable powers of reason- 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 191 

ing which ha\ e made his speeches to take a place among 
the most admirable political literature of the age. His 
independent self-reliance equals the clearness of his 
perception, and imparts a singular force to his style. 
Thus when the embargo was greatly relied on, and the 
enthusiastic South greatly praised the scheme, the young 
statesman had the hardihood to oppose it in the follow- 
ing terms : 

" The restrictive system, as a mode of resistance, or 
as a means of obtaining redress, has never been a favorite 
one with me. I wish not to censure the motives which 
dictated it, or attribute w^eakness to those who first re- 
sorted to it for a restoration of our rights. But I object 
to the restrictive system, because it does not suit the 
genius of the people, or that of our Government, or the 
geographical character of our country. We are a 
people essentially active ; I may say we are pre- 
eminently so. No passive system can suit such a people ; 
in action superior to all others, in patient endurance 
inferior to none. Nor does it suit the genius of our 
Government. Our Government is founded on freedom, 
and hates coercion. To make the restrictive system 
effective, requires the most arbitrary laws. England, 
with the severest penal statutes, has not been able 
to exclude prohibited articles; and Napoleon, with all 
his power and vigilance, was obliged to resort to the 
most barbarous laws to enforce his Continental system." 

After showing how the whole mercantile community 
must become corrupt by the temptations and facilities 
for smuggling, and how the public opinion of the com- 
mercial community (upon which the system must depend 



192 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

for its enforcement), becomes oj3posed to it, and gives 
sanction to its violation, he proceeds — 

" But there are other objections to the system. It 
renders Government odious. The farmer inquires why 
he fleets no more for his produce, and he is told it is owing 
to the embargo, or commercial restrictions. In this he 
sees only the hand of his own Government, and not the 
acts of violence and injustice which this system is intend- 
ed to counteract. His censures fall on the Government. 
This is an unhappy state of the public mind; and even, 
I might say, in a Government resting essentially on pub- 
lic opinion, a dangerous one- In war it is different. Its 
privation, it is true, may be equal or greater ; but the 
public mind, under the strong impulses of that state of 
things, becomes steeled against sufferings. The differ- 
ence is almost infinite between the passive and active 
state of the mind. Tie down a hero, and he feels the 
puncture of a pin ; throw him into battle, and he is al- 
most insensible to vital gashes. So in war. Impelled 
alternately by hope and fear, stimulated by revenge, de- 
pressed by shame, or elevated by victory, the people 
become invincible. No privation can shake their forti- 
tude; no calamity break their spirit. Even when 
equally successful, the contrast between the two sys- 
tems is striking. War and restriction may leave the 
country equally exhausted ; but the latter not only leaves 
you poor, but, even when successful, dispirited, divided, 
discontented, with diminished patriotism, and the morals 
of a considerable portion of your people corrupted. 
Not so in war. In that state, the common danger unites 
all, strengthens the bonds of society, and feeds the 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 193 

flame of patriotism. The national character mounts to 
energy. In exchange for the expenses and privations ol 
war, you obtain mihtary and naval skill, and a more per- 
fect organization of such parts of your Administration 
as are connected with the science of national defence. 
Sir, are these advantages to be counted as trifles in the 
state of the world ? Can they be measured by moneyed 
valuation ? I would prefer a single victory over the 
enemy, by sea or land, to all the good we shall ever 
derive from the continuation of the Non-importation Act. 
I know not that a victory would produce an equal pres 
sure on the enemy; but I am certain of what is of 
greater consequence, it would be accompanied by moio 
salutary effects on ourselves. The memory of Saratoga, 
Princeton, and Eutaw are immortal. It is there you 
will find the country's boast and pride — the inexhausti- 
ble source of great and heroic sentiments. But what 
will history say of restriction ? What examples worthy 
of imitation will it furnish to posterity ? What pride, 
what pleasure, will our children find in the events of 
such times ? Let me not be considered romantic. This 
nation ought to be taught to rely on its courage, its for 
titude, its skill and virtue, for protection. These are the 
only safe-guards in the hour of danger. Man was en- 
dued with these great qualities for his defence. There is 
nothing about him that indicates that he is to conquer 
by endurance. He is not incrusted in a shell ; he is not 
taught to rely upon his insensibility, his passive sufiering, 
for defence. No, sir ; it is on the invincible mind, on a 
magnanimous nature, he ought to rely. Here is the 
superiority of our kind ; it is these that render man the 
9 



194 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

lord of the world. It is the destiny of his condition that 
nations rise above nations, as they are endued in a great- 
er degree with these brilhant quahties." 

It will not be expected that in the brief biographical 
sketch requisite to our present purpose, that we should 
attempt to trace the numerous and invaluable services 
of Mr. Calhoun during the war. During the gloom ot 
that period, calculated to overwhelm and appal every 
heart not fortified with patriotism of the purest stamp, 
he never faltered, never despaired of a glorious triumph 
over all opposition ; but by his genius and wisdom, he 
rose conspicuous in the constellation of talents which 
distinguished the parties both for and against the mea- 
sures he chiefly drafted and perpetually sustained, and 
in the popular branch of Congress, signalized himself as 
the main support of the " second war of independence." 
At a subsequent session, Mr. Calhoun was placed at 
the head of the committee on currency, in which capa- 
city he originated and sustained with great success mea- 
sures which materially benefitted the financial condition 
of the whole country. It was while struggling in this 
sphere of usefulness that he had pronounced in his pre- 
sence the following encomium by Mr. Grosvenor, a 
strong political opponent. — " Mr. Speaker, I will not be 
restrained — no barrier shall exist, which I will not leap 
over, for the purpose of offering to that gentleman my 
thanks for the judicious, independent and national 
course which he has pursued in the House for the last 
two years, and particularly on the subject now before 
us. Let the honorable gentleman continue with the 
same independence, aloof from party views and local 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 195 

prejudices, to pursue the great interests of his country, 
and fulfill the high destiny for which it is manifest he 
was born. The buzz of popular applause may not 
cheer him on the way, but he will inevitably arrive at a 
high and happy elevation in the view of his country and 
the world." 

After a brilliant career in Congress of six years, a 
new and yet more exalted theatre was opened for the 
display of his talents. In December, 1817, Mr. Calhoun 
was appointed by Mr. Monroe to to the office of Secre- 
tary of War. He entered this department under the 
most adverse circumstances, but only the more to devel- 
op his sagacity and practical skill. He found upwards 
of forty millions of dollars of unsettled accounts, which 
ne speedily reduced to three millions. In addition to 
this great liquidation of the public debt, it is said he con- 
ferred upon the republic a still greater service, by the 
exactness of accountability which he introduced into 
every branch of the disbursements, and in consequence 
of which he was enabled to report to Congress in 1823, 
that of the entire amount of money drawn from the 
Treasury in 1822, for the military service, amounting to 
four millions five hundred thousand dollars, and over, 
although it passed through the hands of nearly three 
hundred disbursing agents, there had not been a single 
defalcation, nor the loss of a cent to the government ; 
and by various other retrenchments he had saved to the 
country annually more than one million three hundred 
thousand dollars. 

It is well known that Mr. Calhoun was twice elected 
Vice President of the United States, upon which office 



196 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

he conferred a dignity and character every w^ay worthy 
of himself and the station. 

On Mr. Hayne's election as Governor of South Caro- 
lina, Mr. Calhoun, then Vice-President, was chosen to 
fill his seat in the Senate of the United States. Says 
a writer, " It had been intimated that he was to have 
been arrested on his road to Washington ; and with the 
single exception which was presented by Mr. O'Connell's 
initiation into the British Parliament, after the passage 
of the Catholic Emancipation Bill, there never was a 
moment when the swearing in of a new member was 
awaited with expectation so anxious and curious. When 
he entered the Senate Chamber, where for the seven last 
years he had presided, over which he then held authority 
as representative of the collected Union, and in which 
he now appeared as the delegate of a State, which the 
federal authorities had pronounced to be in open rebel- 
lion, all eyes were turned upon him, and every ear was 
open to catch the slightest whisper, as he was called 
upon to take the constitutional oath. Very different is 
the impression left on the mind by the swaggering air 
with which the great Irish agitator tossed off, as it were, 
a dose which he would soon take means to get rid of, 
the oath of allegiance to the British crown, and the oath 
of disregard to papal supremacy; and that created by 
the calm and religious tone with which the southern 
chief repeated those solemn words which called God and 
his country to witness his fidelity to the Federal Consti- 
tution. When the ceremony was over, and he had 
taken his seat among his old political friends, now, with 
but few exceptions, arranged in hostile array against 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 197 

him, it was impossible but that the hard feelings of party 
should have become a little softened. No one who 
knew his purity of character or purpose, who recollected 
that twenty years had passed since he entered into the 
political arena, and that, in that long period, there had not 
been a speck on his fair and honorable fame, no one who 
had stood by him in the calamities of the war of 1812, or 
the perils of the re-action of 1816, could then believe that 
he harbored in his heart, for an instant, a reservation to 
the oath he had taken. Tltfere were man}' who may have 
looked upon him as an ambitious and dangerous man, 
but we question whether there were any who knew his 
character, and knew his history, who doubted, no matter 
how mistaken they might have considered his notions of 
the unconstitutionality of the tariff of 1828, the full sin- 
cerity of his attachment to the limited constitution 
under which the Union exists." 

It was said in the outset that Mr. Calhoun's political 
life should be divided into three great eras. We have 
described the first, and the opening session of Congressf 
to which we have just alluded, marks the second. It 
was then that the great battle of State-Rights was 
fought, Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Webster being the leading 
champions. We subjoin two passages from that stage 
in the debate in which the two great statesmen examine 
the interpretation given by the Constitution itself, of 
the question whether the Constitution is a compact or 
otherwise. 

MR. WEBSTER. 

"Whether the Constitution be a compact between 
States in their sovereign capacities, is a question which 



198 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

must be mainly argued from what is contained in the 
instrument itself. We all agree that it is an instrument 
which has been in some way clothed with power. We 
all admit that it speaks with authority. The first ques- 
tion then is — What does it say of itself? What does it 
purport to be ? Does it style itself a league, confederacy, 
or compact between sovereign States ? It is to be re- 
membered, that the Constitution began to speak only 
after its adoption. Until it was ratified by nine States, 
it was but a proposal, the mere draft of an instrument. 
It was like a deed drawn but not executed. The Con- 
vention had framed it ; sent it to Congress then sitting 
under the Confederation : Congress had transmitted it to 
the State Legislatures ; and by the last, it was laid be- 
fore the Conventions of the people in the several States. 
All this while it was inoperative paper. It had received 
no stamp of authority: it spoke no language. But when 
ratified by the people in their respective Conventions, 
then it had a voice and spoke authentically. Every 
word in it had then received the sanction of the popu- 
lar will, and was to be received as the expression of that 
will. What the Constitution says of itself, therefore, is 
as conclusive as what it says on any other point. Does 
it call itself a 'compact?' Certainly not. It uses the 
word compact but once, and that is when it declares 
that the States shall enter into no compact. Does it 
call itself a ' league,' a 'confederacy,' a 'subsisting treaty 
between the States ?' Certainly not. There is not a 
particle of such language in all its pages. But it de- 
clares itself a Constitution. What is a Constitution ? 
Certainly not a league or confederacy, but a funda- 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 199 

mental law. That fundamental regulation which de- 
termines the manner in which the public authority is to 
be executed, is what forms the Constitution of a State. 
Those primary rules which concern the body itself, 
and the very being of the political society, the form of 
government and the manner in which power is to be 
exercised — all, in a word, which form together the Con- 
stitution of a State — these are fundamental laws. This 
is the language of the public writers. But do we need 
to be informed in this country what a constitution is ? 
Is it not an idea perfectly familiar, definite and well 
settled ? We are at no loss to understand what is 
meant by the Constitution of one of the States — and 
the Constitution of the United States speaks of itself as 
being an instrument of the same nature. It says, this 
Constitution shall be the law of the land, anything in 
State Constitutions to the contrary, notwithstanding. 
And speaks of itself, too, in plain contradistinction from 
a confederation : for it savs, that all debts contracted, 
and all engagements entered into by the United States 
shall be as valid under this Constitution as under the 
Confederation. It does not say, as valid under this com- 
pact, or this league, or this confederation, as under the 
former confederation, but as valid under this Constitu- 
tion." 

MR. CALHOUN. 

" It now remains to consider the third and last propo- 
sition contained in the resolution — that it is a binding 
and a subsisting compact between the States. The Sena- 
tor was not explicit on this point. 1 understand him, 
however, as asserting that though formed by the States, 



200 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. . 

the Constitution was not binding between the States as 
distinct communities, but between the American people 
in the aggregate, who, in consequence of the adoption 
of the Constitution, according to the opinion of the 
Senator, became one people, at least to the extent of 
the delegated powers. This would, indeed, be a great 
change. All acknowledge, that previous to the adoption 
of the Constitution, the States constituted distinct and 
independent communities in full possession of their sove- 
reignty ; and surely, if the adoption of the Constitution 
was intended to effect the great and important change 
in their condition which the theory of the Senator sup- 
poses, some evidence of it ought to be found in the in- 
strument itself. It professes to be a careful and full 
enumeration of all the powers which the States dele- 
gated, and of every modification of their political 
condition. The Senator said, that he looked to the Con- 
stitution in order to ascertain its real character; and 
surely he ought to look to the same instrument in order 
to ascertain what changes were in fact made in the 
political condition of the States and the country. But 
with the exception of 'We, the people of the United 
States,' in the preamble, he has not pointed out a single 
indication in the Constitution of the great change which 
he conceives has been effected in this respect. Now, 
sir, I intend to prove that the only argument on which 
the gentleman relies on this point, must utterly fail him. 
I do not intend to go into a critical examination of the 
expression of the preamble to which I have referred. I do 
not deem it necessary ; but were it, it might easily be shown 
that it is at least as applicable to my view of the Consti- 



JOHN C, CALHOUN. 201 

tution as to that of the Senator, and that the whole 
of his argument on this point rests on the ambiguity of 
the term thirteen United States; which may mean 
certain territorial limits comprehending within them 
the whole of the States and Territories of the Union. 
In this sense the people of the United States may 
mean all the people living within these limits, with- 
out reference to the States or Territories in which 
they may reside, or of which they may be citizens, and 
it is in this sense only that the expression gives the least 
countenance to the opinion of the Senator. But it may 
also mean the States united, which inversion alone, 
without further explanation, removes the ambiguity to 
which I have referred. The expression in this sense, 
means no more than to speak of the people of the seve- 
ral States in their united and confederated capacity, and 
if it were requisite, it might be shown that it is only in 
this sense that the expression is used in the Constitu- 
tion. But it is not necessary. A single argument will 
for ever settle this point. Whatever may be the true 
meaning of this expression, it is not applicable to the 
condition of the States as they exist under the Constitu- 
tion, but as it w^as under the old confederation before its 
adoption. The Constitution had not yet been adopted, 
and the States in ordaining it could only speak of them- 
selves in the condition in which they then existed, and 
not in that in which they would exist under the Consti- 
tution. So that if the argument of the Senator proves 
anything, it proves, not, as he supposes, that the Consti- 
tution forms the American people into an aggregate 
9* 



202 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

mass of individuals, but that such was their political 
condition before it was adopted under the old confede- 
ration, directly contrary to his argument in the previous 
part of the discussion. 

" But I intend not to leave this important point, the last 
refuge of those who advocate consolidation, even on 
this conclusive argument. I have shown that the Con- 
stitution affords not the least evidence of the mighty 
change of the political condition of the States and the 
country, which the Senator supposed it effected ; and I 
intend now, by the most decisive proof drawn from the 
constitutional instrument itself, to show that no such 
change was intended, and that the people are united 
under it as States, and not as individuals. On this point 
there is a very important part of the Constitution en- 
tirely and strangely overlooked by the Senator in this 
debate, as it is expressed in the first resolution, which fur- 
nishes the conclusive evidence, not only that the Consti- 
tution is a compact, but a subsisting compact, binding 
between the States. I allude to the 7th article, which 
provides that 'the ratification of the Convention of 
nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of 
the Constitution beiweenthe States so rati()^ing the same.' 
Yes, between the States — these little words mean a vol- 
ume — compacts, not laws, bind between the States, and 
it here binds, not between individuals, but between the 
States, — the States ratifying — imply, as strong as lan- 
guage can make it, that the Constitution is what I have 
asserted it to be — a compact ratifying the States, and a 
subsisting compact binding the States ratifying it. 

" But, sir, I shall not leave this point, all-important in 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 203 

establishing the true theory of our government, on this 
argument alone — demonstrative and conclusive as I hold 
it to be. Another, not much less powerful, but of a 
different character, may be drav^^n from the 12th amend- 
ed article, which provides that ' the powers not delegated 
to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited 
to it by the States, are reserved to the States respect- 
ively or to the people.' The article of ratification which 
I have just cited, informs us that the Constitution which 
delegates powers, was ratified by the States, and is bind- 
ing between them. This informs us to whom the powers 
are delegated, a most important fact in determining the 
point at issue between the Senator and myself Ac- 
cording to his views, the Constitution created a union 
between individuals, if the solecism may be allowed, 
and that it formed, at least to the extent of the powers del- 
egated, one people, and not a Federal Union of the States, 
as I contend ; or to express the same idea difierently, that 
the delegation of powers was to the American people in 
the aggregate (for it is only by such delegation that they 
could be made into one people); and not to the United 
States, directly contrary to the article just cited, which 
declares that the powers are delegated to the United 
States. And here it is worthy of notice, that the Sena- 
tor cannot shelter himself under the ambiguous phrase 
*to the people of the United States,' under which he 
would certainly have taken refuge, had the Constitu- 
tion so expressed it; but fortunately for the cause of 
truth, and for the great principles of constitutional liber- 
ty, for which I am contending, ' people' is omitted ; thus 
making the delegation of power clear and unequivocal 



204 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

to the United States as distinct political communities, 
and conclusively proving that all the pov^^ers delegated 
are reciprocally delegated by the States to each other, 
as distinct political communities." 

To this same period belongs Mr. Calhoun's speech 
against the Force Bill, in which he defended himself 
against the accusations of General Jackson. Said he : 

" Here I must pause for a moment to repel a charge 
which has been so often made, and which even the Pre- 
sident has reiterated in his proclamation ; the charge 
that 1 have been actuated in the part which I have taken 
by feehngs of disappointed ambition. I again repeat 
that I deeply regret the necessity of noticing myself in 
so important a discussion ; and that nothing can induce 
me to advert to my own course but the conviction that 
it is due to the cause at which a blow is aimed through 
me. It is only in this view that I notice it. 

" It ill became the Chief Magistrate to make this 
charge. The course which the State took, and which 
led to the present controversy between her and the Gen- 
eral Government was taken as far back as 1828, in the 
very midst of that severe canvass which placed him in 
power, and in that very canvass Carolina openly avow- 
ed and zealously maintained those very principles which 
he, the Chief Magistrate, now officially pronounces to be 
treason and rebellion. That was the period at which he 
ought to have spoken. Having remained silent then, 
and having, under his approval, impUed by that silence, 
received the support and vote of the State, L if a sense 
of decorum did not prevent it, might recriminate with 
the double charge of deception and ingratitude. My 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 205 

object, however, is not to assail the President, but to 
defend myself against a most unfounded charge. The 
time alone at which the course upon which this charge 
of disappointed ambition is founded, will of itself repel 
it, in the eye of every unprejudiced and honest man. 
The doctrine which f now sustain, under the present 
difficulties, I openly avowed and maintained immedi- 
ately after the act of 1828 ; that " bill of abominations," 
as it has been so often and properly termed. Was I at 
that period disappointed in any views of ambition which 
I might be supposed to entertain ? I was Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States, elected by an overwhelming 
majority. I was a candidate for re-election on the 
ticket with General Jackson himself, with a certain pros- 
pect of a triumphant success of that ticket, and with a 
fair prospect of the highest office to which an American 
citizen can aspire. What was my course under these 
prospects ? Did I look to my own advancement, or to 
an honest and faithful discharge of my duty ? Let 
facts speak for themselves. When the bill to which I 
have referred came from the other House to the Senate, 
the almost universal impression was, that its fate would 
depend upon my casting vote. It was known that, as 
the bill then stood, the Senate was nearly equally divi- 
ded ; and as it was a combined measure, originating 
with the politicians and manufacturers, and intended as 
much to bear upon the Presidential election as to pro- 
tect manufactures, it was believed that, as a stroke of 
political policy, its fate would be made to depend on 
my voter- in order to defeat General Jackson's election, 
as well as my own. The friends of General Jackson 



206 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

were alarmed, and I was earnestly entreated to leave the 
chair, in order to avoid the responsibility, under the 
plausible argument that, if the Senate should be equally 
divided, the bill would be lost without the aid of my cast- 
ing vote. The reply to this entreaty was, that no con- 
sideration, personal to myself, could induce me to take 
such a course ; that I considered the measure as of the 
most dangerous character, and calculated to produce the 
most fearful crisis ; that the payment of the public debt 
was just at hand ; and that the great increase of reve- 
nue which it would pour into the treasury would accele- 
rate the approach of that period, and that the country 
would be placed in the most trying of situations, with 
an immense revenue, without the means of absorption 
upon any legitimate or constitutional object of appro- 
priation, and would be compelled to submit to all the 
corrupting consequences of a large surplus, or to make 
a sudden reduction of the rates of duties, which would 
prove ruinous to the very interests which were then 
forcing the passage of the bill. Under these views, I 
determined to remain in the chair, and if the bill came 
to me to give my casting vote against it, and in doing 
so, to give my reasons at large ; but at the same time, 
I informed my friends that I would retire from the 
ticket, so that the election of General Jackson might not 
be embarrassed by any act of mine. Sir, I was amazed 
at the folly and infatuation of that period. So com- 
pletely absorbed was Congress in the game of ambition 
and avarice, from the double impulse of the manufac- 
turers and politicians, that none but a few appeared to 
anticipate the present crisis, at which now all are 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 207 

alarmed, but which is the inevitable result of what was 
then done. As to myself, I clearly foresaw what has 
since follow^ed. The road of ambition lay open before 
me — I had but to follow the corrupt tendency of the 
times : but I choose to tread the rugged path of duty." 

After having corrected, as he believed, some of the 
prominent misrepresentations as to the nature of the 
controversy with South Carolina, and giving a rapid 
sketch of the movements of that State in reference to it, 
he next proceeds to notice some objections connected 
with the ordinance, and the proceedings under it : 

" The first and most prominent of these is directed 
against what is called the Test Oath, which an effort has 
been madfi to render odious. So far from deserving the 
denunciation which has been levelled against it, I view 
this provision of the ordinance as but the natural result 
of the doctrines entertained by the State, and the posi- 
tion which she occupies. The people of that State be- 
lieve that the Union is a union of States, and not of 
individuals ; that it was formed by the States, and that 
the citizens of the several States were bound to it through 
the acts of their several States ; that each State ratified 
the Constitution for itself, and that it was only by such 
ratification of a State that any obligation was imposed 
upon the citizens : thus believing, it is the opinion of the 
people of Carolina that it belongs to the State which has 
imposed the obligation to declare, in the last resort, the 
extent of this obligation, as far as her citizens are con- 
cerned ; and this upon the plain principles which exist 
in all analagous cases of compact between sovereign 
bodies. On this principle the people of the State, acting 



208 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

in their sovereign capacity in convention, precisely as 
they adopted their own and the Federal Constitution, 
have declared by the ordinance, that the acts of Congress 
which imposed duty under the authority to lay imposts 
are acts not for revenue, as intended by the Constitu- 
tions, but for protection, and therefore null and void, 
The ordinance thus enacted by the people of the State 
themselves, acting as a sovereign community, is as obli- 
gatory on the citizens of the State as any portion of the 
Constitution. In prescribing, then, the oath to obey the 
ordinance, no more was done than to prescribe an oath 
to obey the Constitution. It is, in fact, but a particular 
oath of allegiance, and in every respect similar to that 
which is prescribed under the Constitution of the United 
States, to be administered to all the officers of the State 
and Federal Governments ; and is no more deserving 
the harsh and bitter epithets which have been heaped 
upon it than that, or any similar oath. It ought to be 
borne in mind, that, according to the opinion which pre- 
vails in Carolina, the right of resistance to the uncon- 
stitutional laws of Congress belongs to the State, and not 
to her individual citizens ; and that, though the latter 
may, in a mere question of meum and titum, resist, 
through the courts, an unconstitutional encroachment 
upon their rights, yet the final stand against usurpation 
rests not with them, but with the State of which they 
are members ; and such act of resistance by a State 
binds the conscience and the allegiance of the citizen. 
But there appears to be a general misapprehension as to 
the extent to which the State has acted under this part of 
the ordinance. Instead of sweeping every officer by a 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 209 

general proscription of the minority, as has been repre- 
sented in debate, as far as my knowledcre extends, not a 
single individual has been removed. The State, has, in 
fact, acted with the greatest tenderness, all circum- 
stances considered, towards citizens who differed from 
the majority ; and, in that spirit, has directed the oath to 
be administered onlv in cases of some official act 
directed to be performed, in which obedience to the 
ordinance is involved. 

"It has been farther objected that the State has acted 
precipitately. What! precipitately! after making a 
strenuous resistance for twelve years; by discussion 
here, and in the other House of Congress; by essays in 
all forms ; by resolutions, remonstrances, and protests 
on the part of her Legislature ; and, finally, by attempt- 
ing an appeal to the judicial power of the Unrted States ? 
I say attempting, for they have been prevented from 
bringing the question fairly before the Court, and that 
by an act of that very majority in Congress who now 
upbraid them for not making that appeal ; of that ma- 
jority who, on a motion of one of the members in the 
other House, from South Carolina, refused to give to the 
act of 1828 its true title, that it was a protective, and 
not a revenue act. The State has never, it is true, re- 
lied upon that tribunal, the Supreme Court, to vindicate 
its reserved rights ; yet they have always considered it 
as an auxiliary means of defence, of which they would 
Hadlv have availed themselves to test the constitution- 
ality of protection, had they not been deprived of the 
means of doing so by the act of the majority. 

" Notwithstanding this long delay of more than ten 



210 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

years, under this continued encroachment of the Gov- 
ernment, we now hear it on all sides, by friends and foes, 
gravely pronounced that the State has acted precipi- 
tately — that her conduct has been rash! That such 
should be the language of an interested majority, who, 
by means of this unconstitutional and oppressive system, 
are annually extorting millions from the South to be be- 
stowed upon other sections, is not at all surprising. 
Whatever impedes the course of avarice and ambition 
will ever be denounced as rash and precipitate^; and had 
South Carolina delayed her resistance fifty instead of 
twelve years, she would have heard from the same quar- 
ter the same language ; but it is really surprising that 
those who are suffering in common with herself, and who 
have complained equally loud of their grievances, who 
have pronounced the very acts which she has asserted 
within her limits to be oppressive, unconstitutional, and 
ruinous, after so long a struggle — a struggle longer than 
that which preceded the separation of these States from 
the mother country — longer than the period of the Tro- 
jan war — should now complain of precipitancy ! No, 
it is not Carolina which has acted precipitately ; but her 
sister States, who have suffered in common with her, 
have acted tardily. Had they acted as she has done, 
had they performed their duty with equal energy and 
promptness, our situation this day would be very 
different from what we now find it. Delays are 
said to be dangerous ; and never was the maxim more 
true than in the present case, a case of monopoly. 
It is the very nature of monopolies to grow. If we 
take from one side a large portion of the proceeds of its 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 211 

labor, and give it to the other, the side from which we 
take must constantly decay, and that to which we give 
must prosper and increase. Such is the action of the 
protective system. It exacts from the South a large 
portion of the proceeds of its industry, which it bestows 
upon the other sections, in the shape of bounties to 
manufactures, and appropriations in a thousand forms, 
pensions, improvements of rivers and harbors, roads and 
canals, and in every shape that wit or ingenuity can 
devise. Can we, then, be surprised that the principle of 
monopoly grows, when it is so amply remunerated at the 
expense of those who support it ?" 

The closing paragraphs of this great speech are 
very impressive. The orator continues : 

" The controversy is only as to the means by which our 
citizens may be protected against the acknowledged en- 
croachments on their rights. This being the point at 
issue between the parties, and the very object of the 
majority being an efficient protection of the citizens 
through the State tribunals, the measures adopted to 
enforce the ordinance of course received the most 
decisive character. We were not children to act by 
halves. Yet for acting thus efficiently the State is 
denounced, and this bill reported to overrule, by military 
force, the civil tribunals and civil process of the State ! 
Sir, I consider this bill, and the arguments which have 
been urged on this floor in its support, as the most tri- 
umphant acknowledgment that Nullification is peaceful 
and efficient, and so deeply intrenched in the principles 
of our system, that it cannot be assailed but by prostrat- 
ing the Constitution, and substituting the supremacy 



212 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

of military force in lieu of the supremacy of the 
laws. In fact, the advocates of this bill refute their 
own argument. They tell us that the ordinance is un- 
constitutional ; that they infract the Constitution of 
South Carolina, although to me the objection appears 
absurd, as it was adopted by the very authority which 
adopted the Constitution itself. They also tell us that 
the Supreme Court is the appointed arbiter of all con- 
troversies between a State and the General Government. 
Why then, do they not leave this controversy to that 
tribunal ? Why do they not confide to them the abroga- 
tion of the ordinance and the laws made in pursuance 
of it, and the assertion of that supremacy which they 
claim for the laws of Congress? The State stands 
pledged to resist no process of the court. Why, then, 
confer on the President the extensive and unlimited 
powers provided in this bill ? Why authorize him to 
use military force to arrest the civil process of the State ? 
But one answer can be given : That, in a contest be- 
tween the State and the General Government, if the 
resistance be limited on both sides to the civil process, 
the State, by its inherent sovereignty, standing upon its 
reserved powers, will prove too powerful in such a con- 
troversy, and must triumph over the Federal Govern- 
ment, sustained by its delegated and limited authority; 
and in this answer we have an acknowledgment of the 
truth of those great principles for which the State has 
so firmly and nobly contended. 

" Having made these remarks, the great question is 
now presented : — Has Congress the right to pass this 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 213 

bill ?* which I will next proceed to consider. The de- 
cision of this question involves the inquiry into the pro- 
visions of the bill. What are they? It puts at the dis- 
posal of the President the army and navy, and the entire 
militia of the country ; it enables him, at his pleasure, 
to subject every man in the United States, not exempt 
from militia duty, to martial law : to call him from his 
ordinary occupation to the field, and under the penalty 
of fine and imprisonment, inflicted by a court mai'tial, 
to compel him to embrue his hand in his brother s blood. 
There is no limitation on the power of the sword, and 
that over the purse is equally without restraint ; for, 
among the extraordinary features of the bill, it contains 
no appropriation, which, under existing circumstances, 
is tantamount to an unlimited appropriation. The Pres- 
ident may, under its authority, incur any expenditure, 
and pledge the national faith to meet it. He may create 
a new national debt, at the very moment of the termi- 
nation of the former — a debt of millions, to be paid out 
of the proceeds of the labor of that section of the coun- 
try whose dearest constitutional rights this bill prostrates ! 
Thus exhibiting the extraordinary spectacle, that the 
very section of the country which is urging this mea- 
sure, and carrying the sword of devastation against us, 
are, at the same time, incurring a new debt, to be 
paid by those whose rights are violated ; while those 
who violate them are to receive the benefits, in the 
shape of bounties and expenditures, 

"And for what purpose is the unlimited control of the 
purse and of the sword thus placed at the disposition of 

• The Force Bill. 



214 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

the Executive? To make war against one of the 
free and sovereign members of this confederation, 
which the bill proposes to deal with, not as a State, but 
as a collection of banditti or outlaws. Thus exhibiting 
the impious spectacle of this Government, the creature 
of the States, making war against the power to which 
it owes its existence. 

" The bill violates the Constitution, plainly and palpa- 
bly, in many of its provisions, by authorizing the Presi- 
dent, at his pleasure, to place the different ports of this 
Union on an equal footing, contrary to the provision of 
the Constitution Vk^hich declares that no preference shall 
be given to one port over another. It also violates the 
Constitution by authorizing him, at his discretion, to im- 
pose cash duties on one port while credit is allowed in 
others ; by enabling the President to regulate commerce, 
a power vested in Congress alone ; and by drawing 
within the jurisdiction of the United States' courts, 
powers never intended to be conferred on them. As 
great as these objections are, they become insignificant 
in the provisions of a bill which, by a single blow, by 
treating the States as a mere lawless mass of individuals, 
prostrates all the barriers of the Constitution. I w^ill 
pass over the minor considerations, and proceed directly 
to the great point. This bill proceeds on the ground 
that the entire sovereignty of this country belongs to 
the American people, as forming one great community, 
and regards the States as mere fractions or counties, 
and not as an integral part of the Union; having no 
more right to resist the encroachments of the Govern 
ment than a county has to resist the authority of a State 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 215 

and treating such resistance as the lawless acts of so 
many individuals, without possessing sovereignty or po- 
litical rights. It has been said that the bill declares war 
against South Carolina. No. It decrees a massacre of 
her citizens ! War has something ennobling about it, 
and, with all its horrors, brings into action the highest 
qualities, intellectual and moral. It was, perhaps, in the 
order of Providence that it should be permitted for that 
very purpose. But this bill declares no war, except, 
indeed, it be that which savages wage ; a war, not 
against the community, but the citizens of whom that 
community is composed. But I regard it as worse than 
savage w^arfare — as an attempt to take away life under 
color of law, without the trial by jury, or any other 
safeguard which the Constitution has thrown around the 
life of the citizen ! It authorizes the President, or even 
his deputies, when they may suppose the law to be vio- 
lated, without the intervention of a court or jury, to 
kill without mercy or discrimination ! 

" It has been said by the Senator from Tennessee 
(Mr. Grundy) to be a measure of peace I Yes, such 
peace as the wolf gives to the lamb — the kite to the 
dove ! Such peace as Russia gives to Poland, or death 
to its victim ! /A peace, by extinguishing the political 
existence of the State, by awing her into an abandon- 
ment of the exercise of every power which constitutes 
her a sovereign community. It is to South Carolina a 
question of self-preservation ; and I proclaim it, that, 
should this bill pass, and an attempt be made to enforce 
it, it will be resisted, at every hazard — even that of 
death itself Death is not the greatest calamity ; there 



216 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

are others still more terrible to the free and brave, and 
among them may be placed the loss of liberty and honor. 
There are thousands of her brave sons who, if need be, 
are prepared cheerfully to lay down their lives in de- 
fence of the State, and the great principles of constitu- 
tional liberty for which she is contending. God forbid 
that this should become necessary! It never can be, 
unless this government is resolved to bring the question 
Ito extremity, when her gallant sons will stand prepared 
to perform the last duty — to die nobly." 

The third remarkable era in Mr. Calhoun's political 
career began with the agitation of the sub-treasury 
question, in 1837. The general suspension of the banks 
occasioned the call of an extra session of Congress, at 
the opening of which Mr. Van Buren presented a mes- 
sage which not a little confounded both parties in both 
wings of the Capitol. On learning the course which the 
President intended to pursue, Mr. Calhoun at once re- 
solved to sustain him. In defence of the leading finan- 
cial bill, reported to meet the exigencies of the country, 
he made three speeches, which are justly ranked among 
the most distinguished of his life. We quote three short 
extracts, which present an agreeable variety, each one 
containing sentiments worthy of the gravest considera- 
tion. In the first, the orator alludes to the injluence of 
hanking on the intellect : 

" But its most fatal effects originate in its bearing on 
the moral and intellectual development of the community. 
The great principle of demand and supply governs 
the moral and intellectual world no less than the business 
and commercial. If a community be so organized as to 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 217 

cause a demand for high mental attainments, they are 
sure to be developed. If its honors and rewards are 
allotted to pursuits that require their development ; by 
creating a demand for intelh'gence, knowledge, wisdom, 
justice, firmness, courage, patriotism, and the like, they 
are sure to be produced. But, if allotted to pursuits 
that require inferior qualities, the higher are sure to 
decay and perish. I object to the banking system, be- 
cause it allots the honors and rewards of the commu- 
nity, in a very undue proportion, to a pursuit the least 
of all others favorable to the development of the higher 
mental qualities, intellectual or moral, to the decay of 
the learned professions, and the more noble pursuits of 
science, literature, philosophy, and statesmanship, and 
the great and more useful pursuits of business and in- 
dustry. With the vast increase of its profits and influ- 
ence, it is gradually concentrating in itself most of the 
prizes of life — wealth, honor, and influence — to the 
great disparagement and degradation of all the liberal 
and useful and generous pursuits of society. The 
rising generation cannot but feel its deadening influence. 
The youths that crowd our colleges, and behold the 
road to honor and distinction terminating in a banking- 
house, will feel the spirit of emulation decay within 
them, and will no longer be pressed forward by generous 
ardor to mount up the rugged steep of science, as the 
road to honor and distinction, when, perhaps the highest 
point they could attain in what was once the most 
honorable and influential of all the learned professions, 
would be the place of attorney to a bank.'' 
10 



218 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

The second quotation relates to the question, Is the 
deposite scheme constitutional? 

" I have not yet exhausted my constitutional objec- 
tions. I rise to higher and to broader, applying directly 
to the very essence of this substitute. I deny your 
right to make a general deposite of the public revenue 
in a bank. More than half of the errors of life may be 
traced to fallacies originating in an improper use of 
words ; and among not the least mischievous is the ap- 
plication of this word to bank transactions, in a sense 
wholly different from its original meaning. Originally 
it meant a thing placed in trust, or pledged to be safely 
and sacredly kept till returned to the depositor, without 
being used by the depository, while in his possession. 
All this is changed when applied to a deposite in bank. 
Instead of returning the identical thing, the bank is un- 
derstood to be bound to return only an equal value ; and 
instead of not having the use, it is understood to have 
the right to loan it out on interest, or to dispose of it as 
it pleases, with the single condition, than an equal 
amount be returned, when demanded, which experience 
has taught is not always done. To place, then, the pub- 
lic money in deposite, in bank, without restriction, is to 
give the free use of it, and to allow them to make as 
much as they can out of it, between the time of depo- 
site and disbursement. Have we such a right ? The 
money belongs to the people — collected from them for 
specific purposes — in which they have a general interest, 
and for that only ; and what possible right can we have 
to give such use of it to certain selected corpo- 
rations ? I ask for the provision of the Constitution 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 219 

that authorizes it. I ask, if we could grant the u^e, for 
similar purposes, to private associations or individuals ? 
Or if not to them, to individual officers of the^ Govern- 
ment ; for instance, to the four principal receivers under 
this bill, should it pass ? And if this cannot be done, 
that the distinction be pointed out." 

In what follows, Mr. Calhoun explains the meaning of 
suh-treasury : 

" I regard this measure, which has been so much de 
nounced, as very little more than an attempt to carry 
out the provisions of the joint resolution of 1816, and 
the deposite act of 1836. The former provides that no 
notes but those of specie paying banks shall be received 
in the dues of the Government ; and the latter, that 
such banks only shall be the depositories of the public 
revenues and fiscal agents of the Government ; but it is 
omitted to make provisions for the contingency of a gen- 
eral suspension of specie payments, such as is the present. 
It followed, accordingly, on the suspension in May last, 
which totally separated the Government and the banks, 
that the revenues were thrown into the hands of the 
Executive, where they have since remained under its 
exclusive control, without any legal provision for their 
safe-keeping. The object of this bill is to supply this 
omission ; to take the public money out of the hands of 
the Executive, and place it under the custody of the 
laws, and to prevent the renewal of a connection which 
has proved so unfortunate to both the Government and 
the banks. But it is this measure, originating in an exi- 
gency caused by our own acts, and that seeks to make 
the most of a change affected by the operation of law, 



220 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

instead of attempting to innovate, or to make another 
experiment, as has been erroneously represented, vv^hich 
has been denounced under the name of the Sub-Trea- 
sury with such unexampled bitterness." 

Mr. Walsh, writing from Paris, remarked that Mr. 
Calhoun's speech on the Ashburton treaty was regarded 
by some of the best French critics, as one of the most 
classical and cogent arguments of modern times. The 
same may be said of his Oregon speech, and other great 
efforts of still more recent date. He is to-day full of 
vivacious intellect, force of logic, and fervor of patriot- 
■sm, as in 1814 when he battled undismayed against 
Great Britain. The following extract vividly portrays 
his own indomitable character, and with it we must close 
our list of examples : 

" This country is left alone to support the rights of 
neutrals. Perilous is the condition, and arduous 
the task. We are not intimidated. We stand op- 
posed to British usurpation, and by our spirit and 
efforts, have done all in our power to save the last 
vestiges of neutral rights. Yes, our embargoes, non- 
intercourse, non-importation, and finally, war, are 
all manly exertions to preserve the rights of this and 
other nations from the deadly grasp of British maritime 
policy. But (say our opponents) these efforts are lost 
and our condition hopeless. If so, it only remains for 
us to assume the garb of our condition. We must sub- 
mit, humbly submit, crave pardon, and hug our chains. 
It is not wise to provoke where we cannot resist. But 
first let us be well assured of the hopelessness of our 
state before we sink into submission. On what do our 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 221 

opponents rest their despondent and slavish belief? On 
the recent events in Europe ? ] admit they are great, 
and well calculated to impose on the imagination. Our 
enemy never presented a more imposing exterior. His 
fortune is at the flood. But I am admonished by uni- 
versal experience, that such prosperity is the most pre- 
carious of human conditions. From the flood, the tide 
dates its ebb. From the meridian the sun commences 
his decline. Depend upon it, there is more of sound 
philosophy than of fiction in the fickleness which 
poets attribute to fortune. Prosperity has its weak- 
ness, adversity its strength. In many respects our 
enemy has lost by those very changes which seem so 
very much in his favor. He can no more claim to be 
struggling for existence ; no more to be fighting the 
battles of the world in defence of the liberties of man- 
kind. The magic cry of 'French influence' is lost. In 
this very hall we are not strangers to that sound. Here, 
even here, the cry of ' French influence,' that baseless 
fiction, that phantom of faction now banished, often re- 
sounded. I rejoice that the spell is broken by which it 
was attempted to bind the spirit of this youthful nation. 
The minority can no longer act under cover, but must 
come out and defend their opposition on its own intrin- 
sic merits. Our example can scarcely fail to produce 
its eftects on other nations interested in the maintenance 
of maritime rights. But if, unfortunately, we should 
be left alone to maintain the contest, and if, which may 
God forbid, necessity should compel us to yield for the 
present, yet our generous eflforts will not have been lost. 
A mode of thinking and a tone of sentiment have gone 



222 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

abroad which must stimulate to future and more success- 
ful struggles. What could not be affected with eight 
millions of people will be done with twenty. The great 
cause will never be yielded ; no, never, never ! Sir, 1 
hear the future audibly announced in the past — in the 
splendid victories over the Guerriere, Java, and Mace- 
donian. We, and all nations, by these victories, are 
taught a lesson never to be forgotten. Opinion is power. 
The charm of British naval invincibility is gone." 

The foregoing biographical sketch, followed by copi- 
ous and diversified specimens of his premeditated as 
well as extemporaneous compositions, will have prepared 
the way for a more specific examination into the char- 
acter of Mr. Calhoun's eloquence. Clearness, direct- 
ness, and energy, we consider its three most marked 
characteristics. 

In the first place, note the remarkable clearness of 
Mr. Calhoun's mind. We have already traced the cir- 
cumstances attending the commencement of that noble 
career in which he has signalized himself as the most 
philosophical orator in America. By nature and pro- 
tracted culture he is a consummate metaphysician. By 
this we do not mean that he is accustomed to reason 
himself into frigid reveries and Platonic dreams concern- 
ing some ideal Atlantis or impossible Utopia. Political 
and psychological speculations with him are not hard, 
dry dogmas, but living realities actualized and verified 
by the profound earnestness of the speaker. His 
argument is not the " thwarted growth of starveling 
labor and dry sterility ;" but with spontaneous force, 
and unaffected simplicity, he reveals the inward gran- 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 223 

deur of a vivid and energetic mind. It is not inap- 
propriate to apply to his speeches what Hazlitt has said 
of the works left us by the greatest master of graphic 
ait. "Not to speak it profanely, they are a sort of reve- 
lation of the subjects of which they treat ; there is an 
ease and freedom of manner about them which brings 
preternatural characters and situations home to us with 
the familiarity of common every-day occurrences; but 
'while the figures fill, raise and satisfy the mind, they 
seem to have cost the painter nothing. They are mere 
intellectual, or rather visible abstractions of truth and 
nature. Everywhere else we see the means ; here we 
arrive at the end apparently without any means. There 
is a spirit at work in the divine creation before us." 

Mr. Calhoun flaunts in no gaudy rhetorical robes of 
scarlet and gold, but comes into the forum clothed in 
the simplest garb, with firm hands grasping the reins of 
fancy, and intent only on giving a reason for the faith 
that is in him. The embellishment he sparingly employs 
never obscures or encumbers that manlv strength and 
luminous energy, which constitute the prominent fea- 
tures of his style. His language is exceedingly choice 
and most fit to be used by all who think while speaking. 
In characterizing Mr. Calhoun as the metaphysician 
among American orators, we design to say that he is 
full of clear-spirited and substantial significance, and 
not that his intellect is "woven of pure thought and the 
airy films of the imagination — Arachne's web not finer !" 
In him that mental acuteness which is skillful in taking 
up the points of solid atoms, coalesces with a subtlety 
equally sensitive in feeling the delicate atmosphere of 



224 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

truth. There are many pseudo philosophers who are 
adroit only in "defining night by darkness, death by 
dust/' the type of whose debating power could be found 
in nothing but " what the shadow of the wind might be." 
Do the best you can to trace their flight or comprehend 
their meaning, and after all you feel that the attempt is 
as fruitless as if you should " hunt half a day for a for- 
gotten dream." 

Not so with Mr. Calhoun. His is incontestably 
superior to most of his contemporaries in profound and 
valuable philosophical accomplishments. Evidently he 
has great fondness for speculations the most abstract, 
the fruits of which he can with uncommon facility 
render directly applicable to common pursuits ; he loves 
to soar into realms not often explored by metaphysical 
politicians, but at the same time is expert in the dis- 
charge of duties the most trite. While he has an eye 
to perceive, and a hand to grasp, shadowy abstractions, 
"pure in the last recesses of the mind," he is an adept in 
all sorts of practical affairs, one whom the most literal 
proser can hardly excel. His piercing intellect is often 
illuminated by the brightest imagination, but this latter 
faculty ever contents itself with the office of minister- 
ing only to reason. From this relation of the two 
grand powers of his mind, it has resulted, that his elo- 
quence, illustrated by axioms more than adorned by 
imagery, holds the strongest supremacy over those who 
are best qualified to reflect. The thinking power, promi- 
nent in his speeches, together with the earnest spirit per- 
vading them, form their distinctive characteristics, and 
stamp their superior worth. Their author seems to 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 225 

have learned from Albericus, that " to the knowledge of 
history, must be added that part of philosophy which 
treats of morals and politics ; for this is the soul of 
history, which explains the causes of the actions and 
sayings of men, and of the events which befall them." 
At any rate, more than any other politician of the day, 
he has learned to explore, 

" The bearings of men's duties and desires j 
To note the nature and the laws of mind ; 
To balance good with evil ; and compare 
The nature and necessity of each." 

In the second place, look at the directness so charac- 
teristic of Mr. Calhoun's style. We have before said 
that he is highly philosophical, but not subject to meta- 
physical paroxysms. Habitually dealing in very precise 
discrimination, no man more than he, is free from schol- 
astic barbarism. The remark made by Dugald Stewart 
on, Barrow is not less true of Calhoun. " As a writer, 
he is equally distinguished by the redundancy of his 
matter, and by the pregnant brevity of his expression; 
but what more peculiarly characterizes his manner, is 
a certain air of powerful and of conscious facility in the 
execution of whatever he undertakes." In this respect 
our American metaphysician differs widely from those 
learned Thebans who employ much science to inform 
the world, " that ships have anchors, and that seas are 
green." 

Mr. Calhoun is one of those men whom Providence 

sends upon earth at remote intervals, to do the chief 

thinking of their age, to sift the particles of truth from the 

heap of rubbish under which they have long been 

10* 



226 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

buried, fuse them into practical shape, and give them 
universal currency. Sparing of words, but teeming 
with ideas, they coin great principles in the precious 
mintage of their mind, and hurl them into profuse and 
popular circulation. Their thought and execution are 
as intimately allied and effective, as the etherial flash 
which precedes the thunder. The words of such men 
contain the life or death of many generations ; and they 
were born to act in crises that powerfully affect the en- 
tire future of the human race. They seem to contain 
the master thought of all, to mould and to express it. 
If they are truly patriotic, their service will be of inesti- 
mable value, for they will say, with William Tell, as he 
drew the arrow designed to pierce the fatal apple from 
the head of his boy : " Perish my name and my memory, 
provided my country may be free !" 

Feeling from his youth that the fundamental princi- 
ples of moral and political philosophy are realities of 
the greatest importance, he never has fallen into the 
indolent habit of declaiming about them, as if they were 
nonentities, incapable of being either seen or under- 
stood. These matters he has examined critically and 
analytically for metaphysical purposes, but he has drawn 
the scalpel through living subjects rather than dead. 
The beauty, health, freshness, and anirtiation of the 
human frame, have departed ere it is submitted to the 
knife of the anatomist, and it is in something of the 
same condition that the human mind is considered by 
most philosophers. But the case is different with Mr. 
Calhoun. He has ever studied mankind in their vital 
energies and natural promptings, and has thus learned 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 227 

skillfully to touch the springs of their action* and control 
its use. Compelled by necessity and disposition to 
speak in terms intelligible and agreeable to hearers of 
every grade, he has happily learned both to adapt the 
object of his inquiries, and his mode of reasoning, to 
the general understanding and sentiments of his coun- 
trymen. As Erasmus said of Sir Thomas More, " His 
eloquent tongue so well seconds his fertile invention, 
that no one speaks better when suddenly called forth. 
His attention never languishes, his mind is always before 
his words ; his memory has all its stock so turned into 
ready money, that without hesitation or delay it supplies 
whatever the occasion may require." 

The test of true oratorical merit lies in thought, and 
not in words. Take away language from Homer, and 
however much you have removed, the epic poet is left 
unimpaired ; but make the same draft upon Virgil, 
strip him of the majesty, glow, and fascination of his 
diction, and the merit that remains will be nearly re- 
duced to what he borrowed from Homer's plan. It is 
the same with many speeches which abound in gor- 
geous passages, captivating images, pathos, fancy, fervid 
invective, and stinging sarcasm, but which are little im- 
bued with the intense energy of substantial argument. 
"An indignant fiery purity'' pervades Calhoun's phrase- 
ology, like heat and resistance in glowing steel. Ordi- 
nary composition called metaphysical by virtue of a 
multitude of artificial technicalities, resembles an incon- 
gruous assemblage of obsolete dilapidations, rather than 
a natural distribution of practical materials. But the 
matter and spirit of Mr. Calhoun's eloquence are not 



228 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

embodied in hyperbole, nor violence, nor frivolity, nor 
pedantry, but come forth simply in clear, forcible, la- 
conic truth. It is the incarnation and expression of 
mind, and therefore transcends in v^orth the flippant 
nothings of ordinary speakers, as the factitious lustre of 
the Aphrodite is dull compared with the brow of 
Raphael's Madonna, and the fantastic carving of a stone 
mason is stupid beyond endurance beside the divine 
form of the Greek god. 

The accuracy and depth of Mr. Calhoun's knowledge 
are rendered practically evident by a rapid but distinct 
and fearless expression. Having fixed his eye steadily on 
the goal he would attain, he advances towards it with a 
speed and directness which it requires the utmost care 
to follow. He requires the undivided attention of the 
reader or listener, and is sure to reward it. Awed and 
penetrated by his power, we are compelled to acknow- 
ledge that true argumentation is no mere skirmishing or 
idle sport, but, on the contrary, it is deeply to feel and 
earnestly to think. 

" While thought is standing thick upon the hrain 
As dew upon the brow — for thought is brain sweat ; 
And gathering quick and dark, like storms in summer, 
Until convulsed, condensed, in lightning sport, 
It plays upon the heavens of the mind, — 
Opens the hemisphered abysses here, 
! And we become revealers to ourselves." 

We have spoken of the mental clearness and moial 
directness so strongly marked in the eloquence of Mr. 
Calhoun. Let us now, in the third place, notice more 
particularly his logical force. 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 229 

Lord Bacon, laying down the theory of the advance- 
ment of fortune, in a singular passage, directs — " that 
there he not anything in being or action which should not 
he drawn and collected into contemplation and doctrine.^' 
Our distinguished countryman seems ever to have acted 
on this principle, since every day of his mature life has 
been devoted to the diligent acquisition of knowledge 
by study and observation the most untiring and diversi- 
fied. He seems never to have met a man, witnessed an 
incident, or mingled in a scene, without in some way 
augmenting his stores of wisdom thereby. His erudi- 
tion, however, has resulted more from solitary medita- 
tion, than from social converse, scientific research, or 
literary recreation. 

Descartes, writing to a friend, said, " I study here in 
tensely without a book ;" and it was the well-known 
saying of Hobbes, " that if he had read as much as 
others, he might have been as ignorant." But such 
unreading philosophers, who avoid books, lest they might 
stand between them and the natural development of 
inherent force, do not abound in our day. Perhaps the 
best example extant among our public men is now under 
consideration, and yet he, we repeat, is no mere idealist. 
He knows very well that however high and refined the 
orator's head may be, his feet must rest firmly on com- 
mon earth, with all its gross imperfections, if he wishes 
to excite popular sympathies, and command belief He 
is habitually contemplative, but values time too highly 
to sit with the long and " passionful unv/inking gaze, 
which beats itself at last, and sees air only." His is no 
mere mirage of mind, but the dearest vision on the 



230 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

most solid ground. The busy idlers who waste life in 
doating upon " dreams and dim atomic truths," as little 
resemble him in temperament and taste, as it is possible 
to conceive. The effects he designs to produce, are the 
sensations of power and the delights of conviction. To 
attain this end, he wastes nothing, — not one moment or 
topic could be spared without irreparable loss, — and the 
hearer feels that the process has been timed and con- 
summated in a manner as bold as it has been perse- 
vering. 

Genius we hold to be that power which enlarges the 
circle of human knowledge, discovers new materials, and 
gives the air of novelty to what is already known ; while 
talent arranges, elaborates, and renders practical the 
discoveries of genius. Thus defined, we think that Mr. 
Calhoun is largely endowed with both these attributes. 
The talents which succeeded the genius of the ancients, 
applied their potency and polish to instruct and adorn 
the world by diffusing the refinements of taste, gra^ce, 
and sentiment, embodied in masculine beauty, mental 
grandeur and eloquent expression. Such is our states- 
man philosopher, full of metaphysical subtlety and moral 
thoughtfulness. Neither before nor since his entrance 
into the American Senate, has there been such a union 
of the orator and sage. His acquired talents are rich 
and multifarious, and these are mighty auxiliaries to his 
native capacity, instead of being impediments ; in all 
their wealthy profusion, there is " naught cumbrous 
more than new down to a wing." Profuse divisions 
diminish, and all superfluous expletives impair, the sim- 
plicity and clearness of natural expression. Orators 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 231 

dealing largely in such pedantic artificialness resemble 
those artists, who have wasted existence in abstract 
theories on proportion, who have measured the antique 
in all its forms and characters, compared it learnedly 
with nature, and mixed up dubious amalgams of both, 
yet never made one figure stand or move. The specific 
gravity of such dullness is awful, and will cause its pos- 
sessor to "drop down oblivion like a pebble in a pit/' 

The form of Mr. Calhoun's eloquence is circumscribed 
by premeditated lines, characterized by clear, practical 
sense, and substantiated by a genial enthusiasm, which 
is to the body of his argument, what the breath of the 
Almighty was to the yet unvitalized Adam. Taste and 
elocution not only recommend his speaking to the ear 
and eye, but the perspicuity of his thought, impressed 
with a lofty moral import, causes him to be equally in- 
telligible and captivating to both head and heart. He 
does not " pit the brain against the bosom, and plead 
wit before wisdom," but combining the spontaneous 
and forcible action of all his powers, he touches the 
sensibilities and sways the judgments of all. His 
mighty mind, when aroused in debate, is quick with the 
thunder thought and lightning will, rendering it as im- 
possible for ordinary antagonists to avert or resist his 
influence, as for an oak to clasp in its arms the tempest 
that beats upon it. 

The subjoined sketch was drawn in the winter of 
1837-8, by a political and personal friend, and is valua- 
ble for its graphic truth : 

" Mr. Calhoun has evidently taken Demosthenes for 
his model as a speaker — or rather, I suppose, he has 



232 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

studied, while young, his orations with great admiration, 
until they produced a decided impression upon his mind. 
His recent speech in defence of himself against the 
attacks of Mr. Clay, is precisely on the plan of the fa- 
mous oration De Corona, delivered by the great Athe- 
nian, in vindication of himself from the elaborate and 
artful attacks of iEschines. While the one says : 
' Athenians ! to you I appeal, my judges and my wit- 
nesses !' — the other says: 'In proof of this, I appeal to 
you. Senators, my witnesses and my judges on this oc- 
casion !' iEschines accused Demosthenes of having 
received a bribe from Philip, and the latter retorted by 
saying that the other had accused him of doing what he 
himself had notoriously done. Mr. Clay says that Mr. 
Calhoun had gone over, and he left it to time to disclose 
his motives. Mr. Calhoun retorts : ' Leave it to time 
to disclose my motives for going over ! I, who have 
changed no opinion, abandoned no principle, and de- 
serted no party — 1, who have stood still and maintained 
my ground against every difficulty, to be told that it is 
left to time to disclose my motive ! The imputation 
sinks to the earth with the groundless charge on which 
it rests. I stamp it down in the dust. I pick up the 
dart which fell harmless at my feet. I hurl it back. 
What the Senator charges on me unjustly, he has ac- 
tually done. He went over on a memorable occasion and 
did not leave it to time to disclose his motive.' In the 
conception and arrangement of the whole speech, in 
fact, there is a remarkable similarity to the speech of 
the great Athenian, And where could any man find a 
nobler model ? For withering sarcasm — burning invec- 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 233 

tive — lofty declamation — for all that is spirit-stirring 
and glorious in eloquence, there is not on record, in any 
language, as noble and perfect a specimen as this ora- 
tion for the crown. 

" Mr. Calhoun, in the simplicity and brevity of his 
sentences, throughout all his speeches, shows the model 
he has studied. In fact, his whole character and life 
are eminently Greek. His striking and grand concep- 
tions — with his unassuming and plain manners — his 
calm dignity and composure — his sternness and exem- 
plary purity in private and public life, all show that he 
has bathed deep in the fountains of antiquity. 

" In one faculty of the mind he surpasses any public 
man of the age, and that is in analysis. His power to 
examine a complex idea, and exhibit to you the simple 
ideas of which it is composed, is wonderful. Hence it 
is that he generalizes with such great rapidity, that ordi- 
nary minds suppose, at first, he is theoretical ; whereas, 
he has only reached a point at a single bound, to which 
it would require long hours of sober reflection for them 
to attain. It is a mistake to suppose that he jumps at 
his conclusions without due care and consideration. 
No man examines with more care, or with more intense 
labor, every question upon which his mind is called to 
act. The difference between him and others is, that he 
thinks constantly, with little or no relaxation. Hence 
the restless activity and energy of his mind always 
place him far in advance of those around him. He has 
reached the summit, while they have just commenced 
to ascend, and cannot readily discover the path which 
has lead him to his lofty and extensive view. 



234 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

"Mr. Calhoun evidently has studied our system of 
government very profoundly and philosophically, on the 
leading ideas of the school of Jefferson. His great 
speech in reply to Mr. Webster, on the federative prin- 
ciple of the Constitution, and the sovereignty of the 
States, is one of the most profound and finished com- 
mentaries upon that noble instrument and its formation, 
that has ever been produced by the genius of man. . On 
that remarkable occasion, he simplified the points of 
controversy with his distinguished antagonist to such a 
degree, that he compelled him to deny that our system 
of government was a constitutional compact ; and 
finally forced him to the position, that the Government 
itself had substantive and independent rights, as if the 
Government was not made by the Constitution, and had 
no existence, in a single attribute without it. This de- 
bate was managed with great power and ability on both 
sides. Both speakers saw that the whole argument 
turned upon the point whether the Constitution was a 
compact or not. If it was admitted, the wit of man 
could not avoid the conclusion, that each party to the 
compact must of necessity judge of its provisions and 
infractions, or surrender up their original character as 
sovereign contracting parties, to a government with 
power to define its own limitations, and, of necessity, to 
make and unmake the compact at the will and pleasure 
of those who might chance to give it impulse and vital- 
ity. This subject eminently suited Mr. Calhoun's mind 
and habits of thought, and he consequently exhibited a 
power of argument — a distinctness of analysis — and a 
luminous investigation of the attributes and nature of 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 235 

government — which will stand a monument to his fame, 
as long as the American eagle shall present to the world 
that bright constellation of independent States which 
now glitter and blaze around its brow. No human 
being can read that speech without feeling that it con- 
tains the same doctrines which were proclaimed in the 
Kentucky and Virginia resolutions of '98, and in the 
immortal report of Mr. Madison, around which the 
Republican party rallied with the devotion of those who 
felt the liberties of their country to be involved. 

" As a public speaker and debater, Mr. Calhoun is 
energetic and impressive to the highest degree. With- 
out having much of the action of an orator, yet his 
compressed lip — his erect and stern attitudes — his iron 
countenance, compressed lip, and flashing eye — all make 
him, at times, eloquent in the full sense of the word. No 
man can hear him without feeling. His power is in 
clear analysis — suppressed passion, and lofty earnest- 
ness. As to the great questions connected with the 
currency of the present day, it is vain and idle to con- 
tend with him. It has been the subject of his daily 
thoughts for more than twenty years. He is before his 
age, but he will triumph, and posterity will be aston- 
ished at the profoundness and the sagacity of his views. 
Many suppose that he has an absorbing ambition ; but 
this is a mistake, and it arises from the natural activity of 
his mind on all questions of much interest, and his con- 
stant and ardent patriotism. Devotion to the honor and 
iberties of his country is his consuming passion, and his 
ardent pursuit of what he conceives to be her interests 
is mistaken by the superficial observer for overweening 



1 

I 



236 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 



ambition. Ambition he has, but it is high and noble, ; 
and hke the Roman's, identified with love for Rome. | 
His nullification, so much misunderstood and misrepre- \ 
sented, w^as with him a pure and enthusiastic devotion i 
to the true spirit of the Constitution, an(^ the permanent 1 
interest of the whole Union, according to his under- 
standing of them. His greatest weakness, if weakness i 
it can be called, is his free and unreserved confidence j 
in those who are not his friends. This arises from the 
natural integrity and unsuspecting character of his heart. ] 
Another weakness, perhaps, is, that he talks too much, i 
forgetting that there is often dignity and power in im- 
pressive silence, particularly after a man has acquired 
fame. This arises, however, from the simplicity of i 
character and great love of truth, which makes him 
eager to present her to others, that they may receive and i 
love her, too, with veneration equal to his own." j 

To the above, we may add a few remarks respecting ; 
Mr. Calhoun's person and character. j 

Strangers, judging only by his external appearance, ; 

are Hable to form very unjust conceptions of this extra- j 

ordinary man. His countenance, so marked by deci- | 

i 
sion and firmness ; and his eyes, so large, dark, brilliant, \ 

and penetrating : leave no doubt for a moment of a high |; 
order of intellect. Still, the contemplator feels like 
Adam, who, when perceiving Michael, chief of the hea- 
venly warriors, approaching from afar, says to Eve : 

" Majesty 
Invests his coming ; yet not terrible 
That I should fear, not sociably mild 
As Raphael." 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 237 

There is at first a mixed emotion of respect and fear, 
as if the individual in question is indeed to be revered 
for his intellectual capacity, but not to be esteemed for 
his social worth. How completely does actual acquaint- 
ance correct such a falsity of view ! Perhaps there is 
not a man in the world whose colloquial fascination and 
endearing social qualities exceed those of Mr. Calhoun. 
It is true, that while engaged in public functions, he 
appears as one in whom "the intellectual life is quick in 
all its parts," and his iron features repel all thoughts of 
fond and childish glee. But in private, with the harness 
of forensic w^arfare laid aside, while he still maintains 
the dignity of true greatness, no one is more easy of 
access, more cordial and kind. 

The genial goodness native to his head and heart are 
manifest in the spirit of his public conduct. Every- 
where he is as full of thought as ocean is of brine, but 
there is no bitterness in his written or living speech. 
He deals very sparingly in invective ; and never requires 
the veil of public spirit to be thrown over his personal 
antipathies and inordinate self-esteem. He may seem 
to be " full of obstinate questionings," nice discrimina- 
tions, and the keen observance of dialectic, rules; but 
when soaring highest " into that wide and uncircum- 
scribed sphere wherein spirits excursive and philosophi- 
cally modest take their range," and gathering there, "if 
not certain and irrefragable conclusions, at least scat- 
tered particles of wisdom, which he more highly esteemed 
than all the stamped coinage whereof dogmatism makes 
its boast," he never appears malicious in thought or 
deed. His loftiest abstractions are embodied in that 



238 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

athletic good sense which disdains to stab in the dark, 
and is equally unambitious of enlarging its apparent 
magnitude by looming through a fog. He amalgamates 
an artless angular elocution and rigid mental precision, 
with perpetual suavity of spirit, in language the most 
lucid and choice. However specious at first the system 
may look which he rises to maintain, he delivers in its 
defence a prodigious number of pointed observations, 
which at once are regarded as parliamentary axioms, 
universal and profound. 

What in particular is to be observed with regard to 
Mr. Calhoun is, that, in a pre-eminent degree, his is the 
eloquence of character. There is a moral power in his 
life which imparts authority to his speech, and com- 
mands respect. Nothing in man is valuable that is not 
characteristic. Without character, all language is empty 
and insignificant ; since it is only from this quality that 
beauty can be developed and truth enforced. A speaker 
may be hard in his style, severe and dry, and yet not 
fail to please, provided he is imbued with courteous but 
decided independence of character and undoubted integ- 
rity. As this is the only ground of personal worth, so 
is it the only guarantee of public safety. Talent is 
always but too readily worshipped ; but, if it be divorced 
from rectitude of purpose, it is characterized more by 
the attributes and influence of a demon than a god. It 
is w^ell, therefore, that " the splendor of corruption hath 
no power nor vital essence.'' Honesty is a great part of 
eloquence. We persuade others most by being sincerely 
earnest ourselves. This is a virtue that redeems many 
faults. All magnanimous persons, however much they 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 239 

differ from Mr. Calhoun in belief, will grant that he 
is manifestly less a deceiver than deceived. If he errs 
in judgment, it is his misfortune rather than his crime. 
Hence his great influence over all parties, and hence, as 
has been strikingly proved, their anxiety to trust the 
highest national welfare to his supervision in the darkest 
hour. Without exaggeration, may we apply to our 
great fellow-citizen, thus trained and trusted, what was 
eloquently said of Lord Chatham : " The secretary stood 
alone. Modern degeneracy had not reached him. Origi- 
nal and unaccommodating, the features of his character 
had the hardihood of antiquity ; his august mind over- 
awed majesty ; and one of his sovereigns thought roy- 
alty so impaired in his presence, that he conspired to 
remove him, in order to be relieved from his superiority. 
No state chicanery, no narrow systems of vicious poli- 
tics, no idle contest for ministerial victories sunk him to 
the vulgar level of the great; but, overbearing, persuasive, 
and impracticable, his object was England, — his ambition 
was fame ; without dividing, he destroyed party ; with- 
out corrupting, he made a venal age unanimous ; France 
sunk beneath him ; with one hand he smote the hou&e 
of Bourbon, and wielded in the other the democracy of 
England. The sight of his mind was infinite, and his 
schemes w-ere to affect, not England, not the present 
age only, but Europe and posterity. Wonderful were 
the means by which these schemes were accomplished, 
always seasonable, always adequate, the suggestions of 
an understanding animated by ardor, and enlightened 
by prophecy. 

" The ordinary feelings which make life amiable and 



240 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

indolent, — those sensations which soften, and allure, and 
vulgarize, were unknown to him ; no domestic difficul- 
ties, no domestic weakness reached him ; but, aloof from 
the sordid occurrences of life, and unsullied by its inter- 
course, he came occasionally into our system to counse' 
and decide. 

" A character so exalted, so strenuous, so various, so 
authoritative, astonished a corrupt age, and the Trea- 
sury trembled at the name of Pitt through all her classes 
of venality. Corruption imagined, indeed, that she had 
found defects in this statesman, and talked much of the 
inconsistency of his glory, and much of the ruin of his 
victories — but the history of his country, and the calami- 
ties of the enemy, answered and refuted her. 

" Nor were his political abilities his only talents ; his 
eloquence was an era in the Senate, peculiar and sponta- 
eous, familiarly expressing gigantic sentiments and in- 
stinctive wisdom — not like the torrent of Demosthenes, or 
the splendid conflagration of Tully ; it resembled, some- 
times the thunder, and sometimes the music of the spheres. 
Like Murray, he did not conduct the understanding 
through the painful subtilty of argumentation ; nor was 
he, like Townshend, for ever on the rack of exertion, 
but rather lightened upon the subject, and reached the 
point by the flashings of his mind, which, like those of 
his eye, were felt, but could not be followed. 

" Yet he was not always correct or polished ; on 
the contrary, he was sometimes ungrammatical, neg- 
ligent and unenforcing, for he concealed his art, and was 
superior to the knack of oratory. Upon many occasions 



JOHN C. CALHOUN. 241 

he abated the vigor of his eloquence ; but even then, 
hke the spinning of a cannon ball, he was still alive with 
fatal, unapproachable activity. 

" Upon the whole, there was in this man something that 
could create, subvert, or reform an understanding, a 
spirit, and an eloquence to summon mankind to society 
or to break the bonds of slavery asunder, and rule the 
wildness of free minds with unbounded authority; some- 
thing that could establish or overthrow empire, and 
strike a blow in the world that should resound through 
its history." 

The bard of Eden said that a poet " ought himself 
to be a true poem ;" that is a model of the best and most 
honorable qualities. We do not hesitate to claim such 
for the distinguished subject of this sketch. It is not a 
primary ambition with him to exemplify the words of 
old Puttenham : "Ye shall know that we may dissemble 
in earnest as well as in sport, under covert and dark 
terms, and in learned and apparent speeches, in short 
sentences, and by long ambage and circumstance of 
words, and finally, as well when we lie, as when we tell 
truth." He is not one of those 

"Men of that large profession that can speak 
To every cause, and things mere contraries, 
Till they are hoarse again, yet all be law ! 
That with most quick agility can turn 
And re-return ; can make knots and undo them, 
Give forked counsel, take provoking gold 
On either hand, and put it up." 

Mr. Calhoun is a philosophical statesman, whom it is 
11 



UnSC OKATOKS DC 



fer dnse who prae trae e.oqiie:ice. ncH to 
.^crlHim it ^ knpQssibie fer diose wIid jssdr ap- 
i!c^r£ste 1 z^ :> camre and vntamislied vorth^ not 
otthr to res!:e^. ^ai iore. ^^rfnfs he was neTcr snr- 
pasaed Ibr the aoakai of wetaphrsicsal mimii r 
iorical ea»ST. He is finn and ye: f^jdfaie, har 
c: _ r ^tjl'e. that sc r i&ess. v 

nni-j -_^ abased same of rf^^ ::"f:isea5. 

eiiibil al the rhiffjng reprfs^e'ess :-i: - ' -j- 
^diims sQ££rr »id aflgrted pompt. — 
whn have dnmcd noduos : 



?^- CaJhoaLhotit r : it is ^^-- 

ci'.f^i - r" *ioQ-aiid s^ r _t >- irtoboies. 



Ea^: -=^ !t iEij:.e^ Aie miiidof the stTy*e?5t *? 

: 7 ^^mts a|i|ii i fd to hif 
oft 



r : -_ which the rt_ -_-_^ 

het^ c::---:.=^_~ In him, argnniT"- ' - 
l'^^- ": -: rjiTT . hartijpred ibnn. bgt : 

T Arshian tale, swofd. e 

gometmic ^ rc- 

^5qinifiin^ in ereiy 

re of i&eMC except 



ssifes^star^^ ^yw^: So airh is so 

r 1 7 1 areh. aB4 Cke that of Doric 



Jon c. CAiMorw. 243 

tiabflitj; and the ideas it H^eafa of - 7- ^^ ^,^ 
ffdnesb And foch is a fit fjpe of tlir ~ Mm 

His featnm are tot itiiki&g, ioreited. as Ifer 
with ffaougirt, expreanooL sroqadij, and 
GiMlisgiiJaed oofisdoosiiess of latdfectBal power. H 
Tocabfdaiy is adequte to ti^tm al the nfiiWMiiiili < 
analytical distinctSoDs : hk oonnloiaBee is cnjizdhr 
cfoate to cocTej lTi the mznute sobtiedez of fafe>g, 
when the vocal orgaos are too nscfa opptased by caio- 
tion to ^leaL He has real gxeatness^ <fig&itr. aiid iarce, 
can inspire a trifle with importance;, and wieM every 
forcaac implement with efiecL ImpoCoicy iiteif be- 
comes strH^;tfa in the hands of gemnL whie the 
greatest abflitie^ are dwaiied into infiolency by the 
touch of mediociitT. The diephenTs r.if ::" Fsjis 
would hare beoi a deadly weapon in the . 
Achilles : but the ash of Peieiis ooaH ooJy hare 
nmised from the dainty fii^ei? of the per&naed and 
Affi>mhiAf<> archer. Only that majesiy k tm^ imf:* '- r 
whi<:h is tempoed by emanataoDs of inteilifeDee, ^Mmm- 
ed with honor and soAened into love. Swch is the cha- 
racter of Mr. CaflMMm, proimnent anaang the 



Tfanwf k erery IiBd» sad l^ vinoik heEft : ^riiiose var& 
Hasxt «5 25 eagles kai^t the mnateB aor : 
T h oa g jfcte mtech cao—ad «ail c—mg tames ani 



CHAPTER V. 



GEORGE Mcduffie, 

THE IMPETUOUS. 

In the subjoined remarks on the eloquence of Mr. 
McDuffie, we shall endeavor to depict him, not as he is 
now, in his infirm and emaciated condition, but as he 
was in the days of his physical firmness and mental 
glory. Then, his strong memory, expressive physiogno- 
my, powerful voice, and excited action, gave to him 
extraordinary weight as a speaker. He broke into the 
political arena with the fury of a competitor too late for 
the combat ; and, as if to redeem lost time, or to annihi- 
late as soon as possible the antagonist who had sum- 
moned him to the fight, he amazed all by the eloquent 
violence, the unexampled impetuosity, and fierce ear- 
nestness with which he smote down his foes. In his 
best days there was in him an impetuous and concen- 
trated grandeur, a scornful energy, which was rendered 
exceedingly effective by spontaneous fervor and a com- 
prehensive mind. « 

" His voice blew like the desolating gust 
Which strips the trees, and strews the earth with death. 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 245 

His words were, ever like a wheel of fire, 
Rolling and burning this way now, now that : 
Now whirling forth a blinding beam, now soft 
And deep as Heaven's own luminous blue — and now 
Like to a conqueror's chariot wheel they came, 
Sodden with blood and slow, revolving death : 
And every tone fell on the ear and heart, 
Heavy and harsh and startling, like the first 
Handful of mould cast on the coffined dead. 
As though he claimed them his." 

In every department of high endeavor, we occasion- 
ally meet with heroes who always appear in a tempest, 
as if generated by its fury. They are insubordinate but 
illustrious, braving defeat and attempting the apparently 
impossible, with disordered garments, dishevelled hair, 
and extended arms, smiting in every direction, but with 
an eye unblenching and a heart undismayed. Such was 
Kleber at Heliopolis; Danton in the French assembly, 
Diderot among militant philosophers, and McDuffie in 
the American Congress. This Jupiter Tonans was 
ever armed with thunders which he launched against 
his foes, without showing them the anvil on which they 
had been forged, and without revealing the slow and 
laborious process by which they were prepared. Sud- 
denly he would appear, without any previous intimation 
of his design, to smite down what he regarded as the 
monster Consolidation, and victoriously fight the battles 
of Free Trade and State Rights. 

All great questions are raised and settled by men in 
earnest — men who have bound invaluable principles 
about their hearts which taey feel are " part and parcel" 



246 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

of their being, and in the defence of which they will 
sacrifice everything dear rather than let them go. Such 
earnestness is very sure to nnake tremble, if not entirely 
to overthrow, the svstems to which it shall come in full 
force to be opposed. It is not dainty in its means, nor 
obscure in its opposition. It levels against them wit, 
satire, persuasion, argument. It heeds not, in this mat- 
ter, the decisions of the powers that be. It is not afraid 
of being taunted as treasonable. Truth is its aim ; error 
is in its way ; and with a view to one, it cannot afford 
to be delicate towards the other. A lie is called a lie, 
shown to be a lie, denounced as a lie, and men are told 
to reject it or perish. 

■ Mr. McDuffie has distinguished himself both as a 
writer and speaker. Of his elaborated political writings 
we need adduce but a single specimen. It is taken 
from a work entitled "National and State Rights Con- 
sidered," was written in his early maturity, and is the 
more noticeable as being somewhat antagonistic to his 
subsequent opinions and action. We quote it as a fair 
sample of the earnest discrimination and condensed 
force peculiar to this author. Says he : 

"You assert, that when any conflict shall occur be- 
tween the General and State Governments, as to the 
extent of their respective powers, ' each party has a right 
to J2idge for itself.' I confess I am at a loss to know, 
how such a proposition ought to be treated. No climax 
of political heresies can he imagined, in which this might 
not fairly claim the most prominent place. It resolves the 
Government at once into the elements of physical 
force, and introduces us directly into a scene of anarchy 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 247 

and blood. There is not a single power delegated to the 
General Government, which it would not be in the 
power of every State Government to destroy, under the 
authority of this licentious principle. It will be only 
necessary for a State Legislature to pass a law, forbid- 
ing that which the Federal Legislature enjoins, or en- 
joining what the Federal Legislature forbids, and the 
work is accomplished. Perhaps you would require the 
State Judiciary to pronounce the State law constitu- 
tional. I will illustrate by a few examples : 

" Suppose Congress should pass a law ' to lay and col- 
lect taxes, imposts and excises,' and that a State Legis- 
lature should pass another, declaring the objects for which 
the revenue was intended were unconstitutioiial, and 
therefore prohibiting the officers of the General Govei'u- 
ment, by severe penalties, from collecting the taxes, 
duties, imposts and excises. Suppose Congress should 
pass a law * to raise an army' for a national war, and a 
State Legislature pass another, declaring the war 
' wicked, unrighteous and unconstitutional,' and there- 
fore prohibiting the officers of the General Government, 
under heavy penalties, from recruiting soldiers, within 
the limits of the State. Suppose Congress should pass 
a law • for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities 
and current coin of the United States,' and a State 
Government should pronounce it unconstitutional, and 
provide heavy penalties against all officers, judicial or 
ministerial, who should attempt to enforce it. I need 
not multiply cases ; for if you will duly consider these, 
you will find enough to satiate your keenest relish for 
anarchy and disorder. In all the above cases, you 



248 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

would say * each party has a right to judge for itself,' 
and of course to enforce its judgment. You might then 
behold a revenue officer of the United States confined 
in a State dungeon, for obeying the revenue laws of 
Congress, &c. And all this would unavoidably result 
in giving the State rulers a right to resist the General 
Government, or in a civil war to establish its legitimate 
authority ; consequences, either of which is incompati- 
ble with the very notion of government. To suppose 
that the General Government has a constitutional right 
to exercise certain powers, which must operate upon 
the people of the States, and yet that the Government 
of each State has the right to fix and determine its own 
relative powers and by necessary consequence to limit 
the powers of the General Government, is to suppose 
the existence of iwa contradictory and inconsistent 
rights. In all governments, there must be some one 
supreme power ; in other words, every question that 
can arise, as to the constitutional extent of the powers 
of different classes of functionaries, must be susceptible 
of a legal and peaceable determination, by some tribunal 
of acknowledged authority, or force must be the inevita- 
ble consequence. And where force begins, government 
ends. 

" And it is the more astonishing, that you have as- 
sumed positions, involving such tremendous conse- 
quences, when we consider that they are in direct oppo- 
sition to the 'strict letter' of the Constitution, your 
favorite test of the extent of delegated powers. It is 
therein provided ' that the Constitution and the laws of 
the United States, which shall be made in pursuance 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 249 

thereof/ ' shall be the supreme law of the land, and the 
judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything 
in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary 
notwithstanding' And again, ' the judicial power (of 
the United States) shall extend to all cases in law and 
equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the 
United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, 
under their authority/ Nothing can be more plain than 
that the 'strict letter' of the Constitution does make the 
laws of Congress supreme, enjoining obedience upon the 
State functionaries, and making void the laws of a State 
if contrary thereto. And to give the provision a sanc- 
tion of a nature peculiarly impressive, ' the members of 
the several State Legislatures, and all executive and 
judicial officers, both of the United States and of the 
several States, shall be bound by -oath or affirmation to 
support the Constitution of the United States." 

" It is not less evident, that it belongs to the National 
Judiciary, to pronounce upon the constitutionality or 
unconstitutionality of the laws of the National Legisla- 
ture. Its jurisdiction extends to all cases rising under 
them ; and it is hard to conceive how in any possible 
case a federal judge can decide a case, arising under a 
law, without pronouncing upon the constitutionality of 
that law. In fact, it would be vain and idle to make the 
laws of Congress supreme, if the National Judiciary had 
not the power of enforcing, them. For you can hardly 
be ignorant, that a law is a dead letter, without an organ 
to expound, and an instrument to enforce it. I should 
suppose, therefore, that no professional man could hesi- 
tate in saying, that a forcible opposition to the judgment 
11* 



250 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

of the federal court, founded upon an act of Congress, 
hy whatever State authority that opposition might he au- 
thorized, would be the very case, v/hich the Convention 
had in view, when they made provision, for * calling 
forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union.' But 
I sincerely hope, that your licentious doctrines will never 
have the effect of misleading the State authorities so far, 
as to render this terrible resort unavoidable. I trust the 
farewell address of Washington, admonishing his fellow- 
citizens to 'frown indignantly' upon those who preach 
up doctrines tending to disunion, is not yet forgotten." 

As a brief specimen of his indignant ardor, and adroit 
energy in retort, take the following. Replying to the 
charge of federalism, made by his State Right opponents 
to the administration of Mr. Monroe, Mr. McDuffie says : 

" Presuming upon the ignorance of the people, you 
have vainly imagined, they could be carried away, by 
the ' magic of a name.' Hence your continual strain- 
ing, your ridiculous twisting, to associate with every 
measure of Mr. Monroe's administration the i^xxn fede- 
ral; a term which you suppose will awaken so many 
odious associations, as to make the people forget, that, as 
a party word, so far from applying to Mr. Monroe's ad- 
ministration, it properly belongs to its opponents. And 
as among these, you may claim a distinguished situation, 
having preached pretty much the same doctrines in 
peace, which former opponents advocated in war, you 
could scarcely have deserved more credit, had a defence 
of the famous Hartford Convention and an accomplish- 
ment of their views, so similar to your own, been the 
avowed object of your labors." 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 251 

In bringing before the reader a few paragraphs from 
Mr. McDuffie's pen, however redolent of meaning and 
forcible in style they may be, we are deeply conscious of 
the inadequacy of all written language to express the 
full import and energy of his living speech. Much of 
the matter and spirit of eloquence may be enshrined in 
books ; but that which is best in the soul of the gifted, 
which is most impressive, spontaneous, vital and godlike 
in his nature and yearnings, meditations and sympathies, 
attributes which are adapted to move and regenerate 
the earth, gladdening the dwellers thereof, cannot be 
stereotyped in leaden plates and laid away in musty 
libraries. It is a gleaming and unsheathable potency, 
double-edged and invincible, burning one moment in the 
brain and heart of a true orator, and at the next as quick- 
ly becoming the inspiration of all brains and hearts 
listening around. 

The passions are often the most eloquent persuaders. 
He who is least learned, if ardently aroused, will be 
more effective than the most erudite, whose language is 
as frigid as it is polished. Like a wintry sun, the phrase- 
ology of sophisticated artificialness may dazzle, but it has 
little power to melt. Feeling is often not less efficient 
than wisdom, but it is alwavs when thev coalesce with 
each other and strike with simultaneous blows. Fanci- 
ful images may possess transient charms, but it is only 
fervid sentiment imbued with persuasive reason that 
permanently interests and subdues. Otherwise the cloud 
is cold, "although ablaze with lightning — though it 
shine at all points like a constellation." Thoughts and 
words really eloquent are the ebullitions of radical heat, 



252 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

the indicators of life and health ; not spasmodic contor- 
tions of disease, the cadaverous symptoms of approach- 
ing dissolution. Nature gave Mr. McDufHe 

" A heart that like a Geyser spring, 
Amidst its bosomed snows, 
May shrink, not rest — but with its blood 
Boils even in repose." 

To illustrate what v^e have already said, and to pre- 
pare the way for analytical remarks yet to follow, we 
will quote a few examples of Mr. McDuffie's spoken style. 
In the first, he characterizes political corruption in these 
terms : 

" Sir, — We are apt to treat the idea of our own cor- 
ruptibility as utterly visionary, and to ask, with a grave 
affectation of dignity — what ! do you think a member of 
Congress can be corrupted ? Sir, I speak what I have 
long and deliberately considered, when I say, that since 
man was created, there never has been a political body 
on the face of the earth, that would not be corrupted 
under the same circumstances. Corruption steals upon us 
in a thousand insidious forms, when we are least aware 
of its approaches. Of all the forms in which it can pre- 
sent itself, the bribery of office is the most dangerous, 
because it assumes the guise of patriotism to accomplish 
its fatal sorcery. We are often asked, where is the evi- 
dence of corruption ? Have you seen it ? Sir, do you 
expect to see it ? You might as well expect to see the 
embodied forms of pestilence and famine stalking before 
you, as to see the latent operations of this insidious 
power. We may walk amidst it and breathe its conta- 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE 253 

gion, without being conscious of its presence. Ail expe- 
rience teaches us the irresistible power of temptation, 
when vice assumes the form of virtue. The great enemy 
of mankind could not have consummated his infernal 
scheme for the seduction of our first parents, but for the 
disguise in which he presented himself Had he appeared 
as the devil, in his proper form ; had the spear of Ithuriel 
disclosed the naked deformity of the fiend of hell, the 
inhabitants of Paradise would have shrunk with horror 
from his presence. But he came as the insinuating ser- 
pent, and presented a beautiful apple, the most delicious 
fruit in all the garden. He told his glowing story to lhe 
unsuspecting victim of his guile. ' It can be no crime to 
taste of this delightful fruit. It will disclose to you the 
knowledge of good and evil. It will raise you to an equa- 
lity with the angels.' Such, sir, was the process ; and in 
this simple but impressive narrative, we have the most 
beautiful and philosophical illustration of the frailty of 
man, and the power of temptation, that could possibly be 
exhibited. Mr. Chairman, I have been forcibly struck 
with the similarity between our present situation and 
that of Eve, after it was announced that Satan was on 
the borders of Paradise. We, too, have been warned 
that the enemy is on our borders. God forbid that the 
similitude should be carried any farther. Eve, conscious 
of her innocence, sought temptation and defied it. The 
catastrophe is too fatally known to us all. She went, 
"with the blessings of heaven on her head, and its purity 
in her heart," guarded by the ministry of angels — she 
returned, covered with shame, under the heavy denun- 
ciation of heaven's everlasting curse. 



254 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

*'Sir, it is innocence that temptation conquers. If 
our first parent, pure as she came from the hand of God, 
was overcome by the seductive power, let us not imitate 
her fatal rashness, seeking temptation when it is in our 
power to avoid it. Let us not vainly confide in our own 
infallibility. We are liable to be corrupted. To an 
ambitious man, an honorable office will appear as beau- 
tiful and fascinating as the apple of Paradise. 

" I admit, sir, that ambition is a passion, at once the 
most powerful and the most useful. Without it, human 
affairs would become a mere stagnant pool. By means 
of his patronage, the President addresses himself in the 
most irresistible manner, to this, the noblest and strong- 
est of our passions. All that the imagination can desire 
— honor, power, wealth, ease, are held out as the temp- 
tation. Man was not made to resist such temptations. 
It is impossible to conceive, Satan himself could not 
devise, a system which would more infallibly introduce 
corruption and death into our political Eden. Sir, the 
angels fell from heaven with less temptation." 

The next quotation is even more striking. It is taken 
from a speech delivered by Mr. McDuffie on a memora- 
ble occasion in vindication of South Carolina : 

''Mr. Chairman, — A great and solemn crisis is evi- 
dently approaching, and I admonish gentlemen, that it is 
the part of wisdom, as well as of justice, to pause in this 
course of legislative tyranny and oppression, before they 
have driven a high-minded, loyal and patriotic people 
to something bordering on despair and desperation. Sir, 
if the ancestors of those who are now enduring — too 
patiently enduring — the oppressive burdens unjustly im- 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 255 

posed upon them — could return from their graves, and 
witness the change which the federal government, in 
one quarter of a century, has produced in the entire 
aspect of the country, they would hardly recognize it as 
the scene of their former activity and usefulness. Where 
all was cheerful, and prosperous, and flourishing, and 
happy, they would behold nothing but decay, and gloom, 
and desolation, without a spot of verdure to break the 
dismal continuity, or even 

' A rose of the wilderness left on its stalk, 
To tell where the garden had been.' 

" Looking upon this sad reverse in the condition of 
their descendants, they would naturally inquire what 
moral or political pestilence had passed over the land, to 
blast and wither the fair inheritance they had left them. 
And, sir, when they should be told, that a despotic power 
of taxation infinitely more unjust and oppressive than 
that from which the country had been redeemed by their 
toils and sacrifices, was now assumed and exercised over 
us by our own brethren, they would indignantly exclaim, 
like the ghost of the murdered Hamlet, when urging his 
afflicted son to avenge the tarnished honor of his house, 

' If you have nature in you, bear it not.' 

" Sir, I feel that I am called upon to vindicate the mo- 
tives and the character of the people of South Carolina, 
from imputations which have been unjustly cast upon 
them. There is no State in this Union distinguished by 
a more lofty and disinterested patriotism, than that which 
I have the honor, in part, to represent. I can proudly 
and confidently ?ippeal to history for proof of this asser- 



356 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

tion. No State has made greater sacrifices to vindicate 
the common rights of the Union, and preserve its integ- 
rity. No State is more wilhng to make those sacrifices 
now, whether of blood or treasure. 

" But, sir, it does not belong to this lofty spirit of patri- 
otism, to submit to unjust and unconstitutional oppres- 
sion, nor is South Carolina to be taunted with the charge 
of treason and rebellion, because she has the intelligence 
to understand her rights, and the spirit to maintain them. 
God has not planted in the breast of man a higher and 
a holier principle, than that by which he is prompted to 
resist oppression. Absolute submission and passive 
obedience to every extreme of tyranny, are the charac- 
teristics of slaves only. 

" The oppression of the people of South Carolina has 
been carried to an extremity, which the most slavish 
population on earth would not endure without a struggle. 
Is it to be expected, then, that freemen will patiently 
bow down, and kiss the rod of the oppressor ? Freemen, 
did I say ? Why, sir, any one who has the form and 
bears the name of a man — nay, " a beast that wants dis- 
course of reason," a dog, a sheep, a reptile — ^^the vilest 
reptile that crawls upon the earth, without the gift of 
reason to comprehend the injustice of its injuries, would 
bite, or bruise, or sting the hand by which they were 
inflicted. 

" Is it, then, for a sovereign State to fold her arms and 
stand still in submissive apathy, when the loud clamors 
of the people, whom Providence has committed to her 
charge, are ascending to heaven for justice ? Hug not 
this delusion to your breast, I pray you. 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 257 

" It is not for me to say, in this place, what course 
South Carolina may deem it her duty to pursue, in this 
great emergency. It is enough to say, that she perfectly 
understands the ground which she occupies ; and be 
assured, sir, that whatever attitude she may assume, in 
her highest sovereign capacity, she wall firmly and fear- 
lessly maintain it, be the consequences what they may. 
The responsibility will not rest upon her, but upon her 
oppressors. 

" I will say in conclusion, Mr. Chairman, that in all I 
have uttered, there has not been mins;led one feelins: of 
personal unkindness to any human being, either in this 
house or out of it. I have used strong language, to be 
sure, but it has been uttered " more in sorrow than in 
anger." I have felt it to be a solemn duty, which I owed 
to my constituents, and to this nation, to make one more 
solemn appeal to the justice of their oppressors. 

" Let me, then, sir, beseech them, in the name of our 
common ancestors, whose blood was mingled together 
as a common offering, at the shrine of our common lib- 
erty — let me beseech them, by all the endearing recol- 
lections of our common history, and by every considera- 
tion that gives value to liberty and the union of these 
States, to retrace their steps as speedily as possible, and 
to relieve a high-minded and patriotic people from an 
unconstitutional and oppressive burden, which they can- 
not longer bear." 

In the great debate which took place in the Senate 
on Foot's Resolution, in January, 1830, an incident 
occurred which indicated the appreciation put by Mr. 
Webster upon the talents of Mr. McDuffie, and at 



258 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

the same time brought into prominent notice the skill 
which the latter possesses of mingling graphic descrip- 
tion and pungent appeals in forensic argument. 

Said the orator from Massachusetts : 

" In the course of these remarks, Mr. President, I have 
spoken of the supposed desire, on the part of the Atlan- 
tic States, to check, or at least not to hasten, Western 
emigration, as a narrow policy. Perhaps I ought to 
have qualified the expression ; because, sir, I am now 
about to quote the opinions of one, to whom I would 
impute notliing narrow. I am now about to refer you 
to the language of a gentleman of much and deserved 
distinction, now a member of the other House, and oc- 
cupying a prominent situation there. The gentleman, 
sir, is from South Carolina. In 1825, a debate arose in 
the House of Representatives, on the subject of the 
Western road. It happened to me to take part in that 
debate ; I was answered by the honorable gentleman to 
whom I have alluded, and I replied. May I be pardon- 
ed, sir, if I read a part of this debate ? 

" ' The gentleman from Massachusetts has urged,' 
said Mr. McDuffie, ' as one leading reason why the 
government should make roads to the West, that these 
roads have a tendency to settle the public lands ; that 
they increase the inducements to settlement, and that 
this is a national object. Sir, I differ entirely from his 
views on the subject. I think that the public lands 
are settling quite fast enough ; that our people need no 
stimulous to urge them thither; but want rather a 
check, at least, on that artificial tendency to the west- 
ern settlement, which we ha'^e created by our own laws. 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 259 

" ' The gentleman says, that the great object of Gov- 
ernment, with respect to those lands, is not to make 
them a source of revenue, but to get them settled. 
What would have been thought of this argument in the 
old thirteen States ? It amounts to this, that those 
States are to offer a bonus for their own impoverish- 
ment, to create a vortex to swallow up our floating 
population. Look, sir, at the present aspect of the 
southern States. In no part of Europe wnll you see 
the same indications of decay. Deserted villages — 
houses falling to ruin — impoverished lands thrown out 
of cultivation ! Sir, I believe that if the public lands 
had never been sold, the aggregate amount of the na- 
tional wealth would have been greater at this moment. 
Our population, if concentrated in the old States, and 
not ground down by tariffs, would have been more pros- 
perous and more wealthy. But every inducement has 
been held out to them to settle in the West, until our 
population has become sparse, and then the effects of this 
sparseness are now to be counteracted by another artifi- 
cial system. Sir, I say if there is any object worthy the 
attention of this Government, it is a plan which shall 
limit the sale of the public lands. If those lands w^ere 
sold according to their real value, be it so. But while 
the Government continues, as it now does, to give them 
away, they will draw the population of the older States, 
and still farther increase the effect which is already 
distressingly felt, and which must go to diminish the 
value of all those States possess. And this, sir, is held out 
to us as a motive for granting the present appropriation. 



260 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

I would not, indeed, prevent the formation of roads on 
these considerations, but I certainly would not en- 
courage it. Sir, there is an additional item in the ac- 
count of the benefits which this Government has con- 
ferred on the western States. It is the sale of the pub- 
lic lands at the minimum price. At this moment we 
are selling to the people of the West lands at one dollar 
and twenty-five cents, which are worth fifteen, and 
which would sell at that price if the markets were not 
glutted.' '' 

In Professor Wilson's Nodes Ambrosiance, after an 
exceedingly unfavorable portraiture of the great living 
Irish orator. Shield's exterior. Tickler says : " But never 
mind — wait a little — and this vile machinery will do 
wonders. To make some amends for her carelessness 
in all other external affairs, nature has given him as fine 
a pair of eyes as ever graced human head — large, deep- 
ly-set, dark, liquid, flashing like gems, and these fix you 
presently, like a basilisk, so that you forget everything 
else about him ; and though it would be impossible to 
conceive anything more absurdly ungraceful than his 
action, sharp, sudden jolts, and shuffles, and right-about 
twists and leaps, all set to a running discord of grunts 
and moans, yet, before he has spoken ten minutes, you 
forget all this, too, and give yourself up to what I have 
always considered a pleasant sensation — the feeling, I 
mean, that you are in the presence of a man of genius !" 

This applies admirably to Mr. McDuffle, who, in the 
best days of his strength, possessed those endowments 
which were calculated beyond most of his contempora- 
ries, to inspire that noblest of all kinds of eloquence 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 261 

incomparably superior to the disciplined and elaborate 
oratory which too much abounds — the " lomc set on 
fire," which flows from those lofty sources of emotion 
which nature supplies in an elevated and earnest heart. 
" Sursam corda" seems ever to have been in his ritual 
as an orator, if not as a religionist; impelled as he was 
by that exaltation of the feelings, which is the glory of 
devotion as of eloquence, and without which nothing 
gpeat or good was ever accomplished. 

A clerical friend, well acquainted w^ith Mr. McDuffie 
at home, once described to the writer a scene which 
throws much light on his remarkable character. A 
public dinner was given him by his political friends. 
Our informant, wishing to hear the great speech antici- 
pated, was provided with a privileged seat by the orator 
himself, so that he could come in after the less etherial 
festivities were over, and enjoy the more desirable 
" feast of reason and flow of soul." 

A great crowd was in attendance. The preliminary 
toasts and harangues being passed, the great man of the 
occasion arose. He stood above medium height, was in 
vigorous health, had a piercing look, profuse hair man- 
tled a full countenance, and his general aspect, every way 
striking, was rendered still more noble by his prominent 
Roman nose. The opening of his speech was far from 
being elegant or even fluent. Without grace of elocu- 
tion, and without anything like originality or force of 
expression, he labored through a succession of stumbling, 
awkward sentences. Strangers who were present 
began to look sorely disappointed, and wondered how 
such a speaker cou/d have acquired such a reputation. 



262 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

" But this was only wing-flapping — not flight ; 
The pawing of the courser ere he win." 

The speaker began to warm into increased speed and 
force, when suddenly his whole aspect changed, and a 
splendid train of ideas gushed from his fulminating 
eyes and lips. Then, like one possessed, he seemed to 
have become insensible to everything but the momen- 
tous subject that rose on his view and demanded the 
full exercise of all his powers. A wine-glass full of the 
" generous beverage" stood before him. This, with one 
of his violent gestures, he inadvertently knocked yards 
down the table, and dashed on in a torrent of eloquence 
perfectly irresistible. 

This occurred just before the outbreak of " Nullifica- 
tion," a subject upon which Mr. McDuffie had not yet 
acted with the same sentiments and form in which he 
afterwards appeared. At this period, his scheme was 
to resist the tariff by " non-consumption." On this 
topic he dilated with great splendor and power. His 
speech became scathing and insufferably bright, " like 
the white lightning of a day too hot." The listening 
and excited multitude bent forward with parted lips and 
impassioned looks, as if fearful of losing a single word. 
At the moment when the spell was complete over the 
entranced mass — when enthusiasm had become accu- 
mulated to its utmost height — and every passion and 
fibre in every listener seemed to move in exact sympa- 
thy with the almost frenzied orator, he grasped the 
front of his black broadcloth coat with his two hands 
convulsively, raising them as high as possible for a mo- 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 263 

ment, and then bringing them down with an energy 
that threatened to rend the garment in tatters, he ex- 
claimed, " Doff this golden tissue !" Our clerical friend, 
who fired up mightily as he recounted the reminiscences 
of that memorable day, protested that, had Mr. McDuf- 
fie gone one step further, and thrown his coat clean off, 
he, and every other man present, would, in an instant, 
and unconsciously, have done the same. This is quite 
probable, since, in two months' time not a fine coat was 
to be seen in all the region. Clergymen, judges, gov- 
ernor, and all, mounted coarse, home-spun, and, sure 
enough, all had doffed the golden tissue. 

" Never were bliss and beauty, love and woe, 
Ravelled and twined together into madness, 
As in that one wild hour." 

Ordinarily, Mr. McDufhe is reserved, sombre, and 
taciturn ; but when the social fit is on him, intellectual 
rays break from his person, like flashes through a thun- 
der cloud. When once thoroughly aroused, his con- 
ceptions are not unfrequently terrific and grand; not 
the mere paroxysms of a fever, given forth in sonorous 
rhapsodies, but the well sustained flights of a vigorous 
understanding. It is his highest glory to be " a man of 
mind, above the run of men." In the sudden transi- 
tions from morbid listlessness to impassioned energy, so 
common to him, ideas the most startling, to use the bold 
figure of Dante, are showered into his mind. Undei 
their influence, his action and utterance are rapid, and 
sometimes become more violent than energetic. In 
such instances, there is more boisterousness than 



264 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

grandeur, more passion than majesty. If his speech re- 
sembles '' the ocean heaped into a single surge," it does 
not always have the mellow thunder of the seas ; nor, 
when most impetuous, does it seem "immortal as their 
ceaseless music.'' It is true that jutting peaks, craggy 
shores, fathomless depths, profuse foam, and furious mo- 
tion characterize the great deep. But these are not its 
only traits, nor does sublimity constitute its only attrac- 
tion. The infinitely varied forms of the waves, their 
light and shadow, the gay transparency of their spray, 
and, above all, the perpetual change of color and action, 
amuse the contemplator in detail, as much as the gran- 
deur of the united attributes is calculated to awe his mind. 
The popular heart needs to be soothed as well as 
stimulated, and in this respect, as in many others, there 
is a strong analogy between eloquence and music ; both," 
when perfect, produce a pleasing repose — a calm, sober 
delight — which, if not relieved by skillful variety, soon 
chafes into weariness or sinks into sleep. As the prin- 
ciple of harmony must be preserved in the wildest and 
most eccentric music, wherein sudden, and quickly 
varying emotions of the soul are expressed, so must im- 
perturbable self-control attend the speaker in scenes of 
the greatest excitement and confusion. Johnson, who 
was not only a sincere and discriminating admirer of 
Shakspeare, but who did much to restore his glory, cor- 
rectly observes that, with all his beauties, he has faults, 
and faults which could obscure any other writer than 
himself; that his effusions of passion, when the situation 
naturally calls them forth, are in the highest degree 
striking and energetic : but that, when he puts his in- 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 265 

vention and his faculties to the rack, the fruits of his 
ambitious toil are bombast, meanness, tediousness, and 
obscurity. 

As in graphic or plastic art, the wildest and most 
frenzied fancy is obliged to appropriate to itself the com- 
mon laws of matter as the means of developing its mean- 
ing, so in oratory the simplest ideas and most natural 
elocution must be the chief instruments employed, 
" Light over strong, and darkness over long, blind equal- 
ly alike." Care should be taken that the hearer is not 
perplexed and distracted by a confusion of incongruous 
parts, or offended by inharmonious tones. The truth of 
this observation has been rendered most evident by the 
great teacher of almost every rule of excellence, when, 
on a parallel occasion, he made Hamlet recommend to 
the players the comprehensive precept, never to offend 
eye or ear : " In the very torrent, tempest, and whirl- 
wind of your passion," says he, " you must acquire and 
beget a temperance that may give it smoothness." And 
yet, at the same time, he observes most justly, " The end 
of playing, both at the first, and now, was and is, to hold, 
as 't were, the mirror up to nature ; to show virtue her 
own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and 
body of the time, his form and pressure." No oratorical 
maxims can be truer or more practical than these. "Be 
not too tame neither," continues Hamlet : " suit the 
action to the word, the word to the action : with this 
special observance, that you o'erstep not the modesty of 
nature." 

We should never mistake violence for strength, grim- 
ace for forcible expression, or blood and horror for the true 
12 



266 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

sublime. Perfect oratorical action combines the strength 
of the Hercules with the activity of the gladiator, and the 
grace of the Apollo. Such an amalgamation is not em- 
bodied in "glittering masses of portentous incongruities 
and colossal baubles," but in a simple and lucid gran- 
deur of style which verifies the saying, that " terror hath 
a beauty even as mildness." It is not in the gross and 
tumultuous manifestations of fierce elemental energies, 
not in the clash of the hail, nor the blast of the whirl- 
wind, that the noblest features of the sublime are devel- 
oped. God is not in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but 
in the still small voice. " They are but the blunt and 
the low faculties of our nature, which can only be ad- 
dressed through lampblack and lightning, It is in quiet 
and subdued passages of unobtrusive majesty, the deep, 
and the calm, and the perpetual — that which must be 
sought ere it is seen, and loved ere it is understood — 
things which the angels w'ork out for us daily, and yet 
vary eternally, which are never w^anting, and never 
repeated, which are to be found always, yet each found 
but once ; it is through these that the lesson of devotion 
is chiefly taught, and the blessing of beauty given." 
We should remember that passion is not absolutely and 
in itself great or violent, but only in proportion to the 
weakness of the mind it has to deal with ; to increase 
its flame is necessarily to decrease the fund of substan- 
tial strength on which it subsists : 

" The fire that mounts the liquor, till :'t run o'er, 
In seeming to augment it, wastes it.' ' 

When a fondness for the sensations of power in a 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 267 

public speaker becomes intrusive and attractive, in 
itself, instead of being subordinated to the results it 
would attain, and lost in them, it is undoubtedly a 
fault of the most vitiating character. Hence the exam- 
ple of an orator like Mr. McDuffie is liable to be a dan- 
gerous one to aspiring youth, naturally inclined to be 
led astray by what is merely dazzling, daring and impet- 
uous. In the master himself, it is a style of oratory 
which approaches the highest order of merit, because it 
is natural ; but, when imitated, it is sure to degenerate 
into action the most extravagant and expressions the 
most ferocious. Such corruscations of fancy and super- 
ficial passion are to true eloquence, what the incessant 
flashings of a tempestuous night are -to daylight. It may 
be difficult to say, whether they are the height of the sub- 
lime, or the superlatively ridiculous : perhaps we should 
more truly say, that in every such case, it is not a dubi- 
ous point to decide as to which category they belong. 
Disgust ever dwells near the line that separates legiti- 
mate terror and pity from horror and aversion, as if sta- 
tioned there on purpose to guard against all extravagance. 
Great energy of thought and expression is perfectly natu- 
ral to persons of a certain temperament, and in them is 
the ground and guarantee of the highest excellence, but 
is exceedingly oifensive when affected or assumed. 
Such coarseness of verbiage and furiousness of manner 
is inspired by that false Bacchus, whose influence is 
quite too prevalent in our day. 

In his peculiar style, Mr. McDuffie is without a rival 
His voice resembles the harsh terrific blast of the trum- 
pet, rather than the tender, mellifluous harmony of the 



268 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

flute or iEolian harp, and breaks on the trembling air 
*' Hke ocean's tongue in StafFa's stormy cave." By the 
spontaneous energy of his perspicuous reason, winged 
in the burning beams of truth, he has power to force 
open the eyes of men, and when open, he can illuminate 
or blind them. His elocution smites on the popular 
heart like the club of Hercules ; the stroke bears a crush- 
ing force, but its sweep is both irregular and awkward, 
illustrating energy rather than elegance. He is the im- 
personation of that convulsive power which agitates the 
masses and impels them to action. Seen when the 
crowded pack of his passions are in full chase, he is, 
indeed, a mighty hunter, whose course no ordinary arm 
can for a moment oppose. At other times he is moody 
and sad, and appears as if he could be aroused only by 
the sympathetic action of that popular phrenzy which 
crouches ever in the dark cavern of the future, to spring 
upon us like a tropical tornado, 

"Which, hushed in grim repose, awaits his evening prey." 

Men like Mr. McDuffie are not to be subjected to the 
ordinary canons of criticism. If you require a colossus 
to force his feet into tiny Chinese slippers, he will burst 
such impediments like a lion breaking his chains. There 
is too much life and agility in him for vassalage so dis- 
graceful to great inborn strength. Some one compared 
the genius of Racine to the Apollo Belvidere, and the 
genius of Shakspeare to the equestrian statue of Philip 
IV". in Notre Dame at Paris. "Be it so," replied Dide- 
rot; " but what would you think, were the wooden statue 



GEORGE MCDUFFIE. 269 

to draw down his helmet, shake his gauntlet, brandish 
his sword, and prance about the cathedral ?" 

In Mr. McDuffie there is abundance of force ; if he 
had been endowed with a larger measure of easy grace 
and diversified naturalness, perhaps he would have been 
a better model. Says Chateaubriand : "The great poet 
of Albion, endowed with creative power, animates even 
inanimate objects. The scenes, the stage, a branch of 
a tree, a blade of grass, the bones in a churchyard, all 
speak : under his magic touch there is nothing dead, not 
even death itself 

" Shakspeare makes great use of contrasts : he loves 
to mingle diversions and acclamations of joy with 
funeral pomp and the wailings of grief Thus, for ex- 
ample, the musicians summoned to the nuptials of Juliet 
arrive just in time to attend her remains to the grave ; 
and, indifferent to the grief which prevails in the house 
of mourning, they indulge in jests, and discourse of 
matters the most foreign to the catastrophe. Who does 
not recognize in this the reality of life ? who does not 
feel all the bitterness of the picture, and who is there 
that has not witnessed similar scenes? These effects 
were not unknown to the Greeks. We find in Eurip- 
ides those simple touches of nature which Shakspeare 
intermingles with his loftiest tragic sublimity. An ex- 
ample of this occurs in Phaedra, where the princess has 
just expired, and the chorus know not whether they 
shall enter her apartment. In Alceste, Deaih and 
Apollo exchange pleasantries, Death wishes to seize Al- 
ceste while she is young, because he is not anxious to 
have a wrinkled victim. These contrasts verge on the 



270 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

terrible : but then a single shade too strong or too faint 
in the expression renders them senseless or ridiculous." 
The mild sentiments have their eloquence as well as 
the vehement passions, but it is the latter only, or at 
least chiefly, that we meet with in IMr. McDuffie. Too 
often the symmetry of his thought and the beauty of his 
expression is dimmed by extravagance or deformity. 
But, when all his faults are subtracted, there still re- 
mains the extraordinary merit of being neither insipid 
or equivocal. He resembles a mighty stream, sometimes 
flowing in a full and limpid current, and oftener, per- 
haps, turbid and encumbered with rubbish, but there is 
always a mighty volume of meaning and force in him 
which it is much easier to criticise than excel. What 
we are most anxious to impress on the young reader is, 
that neither uncouthness nor impetuosity is necessarily 
allied to great strength. In Laocoon, as Goethe has 
suggested respecting that master-piece of antiquity, we 
contemplate nature in full revolt and desperation. The 
last choking pang, the desperate struggle, the maddening 
convulsion, the working of the corroding poison, the 
vehement fermentation of his blood, the stagnating cir- 
culation, suffocating pressure, and paralytic death, yet 
over the utmost violence is thrown the mantle of ma- 
jestic grace. We see it, feel it thrillingly in that pre- 
sence, and in a moment understand what the great poet 
meant when he celebrated the 

" Still greatness of simplicity and repose." 




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CHAPTER VI. 



LEWIS CASS, 

THE COURTEOUS. 

It is an invigorating exercise, to attempt the ana- 
lytical portraiture of great logical powers ; and it is an 
exhilarating one, to describe adroit talents employed in 
splendid declamation. But, to many persons, it is not 
less pleasing to contemplate simple statesmanship habitu- 
ally adorned with decided good nature. 

We propose to sketch the career of General Cass as a 
civilian, military chieftain, and patriotic statesman. 

He was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, Oct. 9th, 
1782. His ancestors were among the first settlers of 
that part of the country. It is said that his father bore 
a commission in the revolutionary army, which he 
joined the day after the battle of Lexington, and in which 
he continued until the close of the war, having borne a 
part in the battles of Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Trenton, 
Princeton, Monmouth, and Germantown. In 1799, he 
moved with his family to Ohio, and settled in the vicinity 
of Zanesville. where, after a \i(e of honor and usefulness, 
he died, August, 1830. 

The son of whom we ale speaking, was educated 



272 LTVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

mainly at the Academy of Exeter, and studied law at 
Marietta, under the late Governor Meigs. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1 802, and pursued the practice of 
his profession for several years with distinguished suc- 
cess. 

He was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature in 
1806. About this time the movements of Colonel Bun- 
began greatly to alarm the country. Mr. Cass was ap- 
pointed on the committee to which the subject was 
referred, and drafted the law by which the local authori- 
ties were enabled to arrest the party and boats on their 
passage down the Ohio. Having thus timely baffled a 
project which was deemed of a revolutionary character, 
designed to separate the west from the east, the same 
pen drafted the address to Mr. Jefferson, which unfolded 
the views of the Ohio Legislature on this important sub- 
ject. 

Mr. Cass was appointed Marshal of the Stale, in 1807, 
which office he resigned in 1813. In 1812, he volun- 
teered in the force called out to join the army under 
General Hull, and marched to Dayton, where he was 
elected Colonel of the 3d regiment of the Ohio volun- 
teers. 

Thus have we arrived at the period when his military 
service was fairly begun. His prevailing trait of cour- 
teous patriotism was developed from the first. The his- 
tory of that expedition says : " Having to break through 
an almost trackless wilderness, the army suffered much 
on its route to Detroit, and it was necessary that the 
officers of the volunteers should be exemplars in fatigue 
and privations, lest the men, unused to military discipline 



LEWIS CASS. 273 

should turn back in discouragement. Colonel Cass was 
among the most urgent for an invasion of the Canadian 
province, immediately after the army arrived at Detroit ; 
but General Hull did not cross the river, until after the 
lapse of several days, and thereby lost all the advan- 
tages of a prompt and decisive movement. The ad- 
vanced detachment was commanded by Colonel Cass, 
and he was the first man who landed, in arms, on the 
enemy's shore after the declaration of war. On enter- 
ing Canada, General Hull distributed a proclamation, 
among the inhabitants, which, at the time, had much 
notoriety, and was generally ascribed to Colonel Cass : 
it is now known that he wrote it. Whatever opinions 
may have been entertained of the inglorious descent from 
promise to fulfillment, it was generally regarded as a high 
spirited and eloquent document. Colonel Cass soon dis- 
lodged the British posted at the bridge over the Canards. 
There he maintained his ground, in expectation that the 
army would advance and follow up the success, by 
Striking at Maiden; but he was disappointed by the in- 
decision of the general, who ordered the detachment to 
return." 

Immediately after this disastrous movement. Colonel 
Cass repaired to Washington, and reported the proceed- 
ings to Government. In the following spring his posi- 
tion was changed, being appointed colonel of the 27th 
regiment of infantry, and soon after he was promoted 
to the rank of brigadier general. He joined General 
Harrison, at Seneca, and crossing Lake Erie with him, 
after Perry's victory, was present in the pursuit of Proc- 
tor, and participated in the triumph at the Moravian 
12* 



274 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

towns. The north-western campaign being brought to 
a successful close, General Cass was left in command of 
Michigan and the upper province of Canada. His head- 
quarters were at Detroit, and he thus became the mili- 
tary guardian of a people over whom he was soon called 
to preside in the highest civil functions. 

What follows will unfold the character of General 
Cass more particularly as a patriotic statesman. On 
October 9th, 1813, he was appointed governor over the 
territory just alluded to. In 1814, he was associated 
with General Harrison in a commission to treat with 
the Indians, who had acted as enemies during the w^ar. 
A treaty of pacification was formed, and a large body of 
influential Indians accompanied Governor Cass to Detroit, 
as auxiliaries. So great an influence had he already 
obtained over the most savage natures, by blended cour- 
tesy and decision, that many were transformed into the 
most efficient friends. At one period, Michigan was left 
with a single company of regular soldiers for its defence, 
and that at the time consisted of only twenty-seven men. 
Yet, with this inadequate force, and the local militia, 
the governor, more by personal persuasion than martial 
compulsion, was able to defend the territory against 
all of its foes. 

After the termination of the war, Governor Cass 
moved his family to Detroit. 'History records the con- 
dition of affairs at that time. " Michigan had suflfered 
greatly during the war; Detroit exhibited a scene of 
devastation. Scarcely a family, when it resumed its 
domestic establishment, found more than the remnants 
of former wealth and comforts. Laws had become si- 



LEWIS CASS. 275 

lent, and morals had suffered in the general wreck, and 
it required great prudence and an uncommon share of 
practical wisdom to lead back a people thus disorganized, 
to habits of industry and order. The civil government 
was established, and such laws enacted as could be most 
easily carried into effect. The legislative power being 
placed in the hands of the governor and judges, rendered 
it a delicate task to aid in the enactment of laws which 
were to be enforced by the same will ; but it was per- 
formed with decision and enlightened discrimination. 

" The Indian relations were likewise to be readjusted 
throughout the western frontier. War had ruptured pr 
weakened every tie which had previously connected 
the tribes with our government. By decisive, but kind 
measures, the hollow truce which alone existed, was con- 
verted into a permanent peace, and they returned by de- 
grees, to their hunting grounds and usual places of resort? 
with a general disposition to live in amity and quiet.'' 

During the year 1816, Governor Cass was associated 
with General M' Arthur to treat with the Indians at 
Fort Meigs. The north-western portion of Ohio w^as 
acquired at this time. The following year he w^as en- 
gaged in the same duty at Fort Mary's, and secured 
the acquisition of a large tract of land in Indiana. In 
1819, he assisted in the treaty held at Sagano, by which 
extensive relinquishments were obtained from the In- 
dians in Michigan. In all these negotiations. Governor 
Cass succeeded most effectually by his courteous frank- 
ness and disposition to act on the principle of fair reci- 
procity. In the same year, he exerted himself with suc- 
cess, in securing the election of a delegate to Congress ; 



276 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA 

and in promoting the sale of the pubhc lands within the 
territory. It is beheved that the prosperity of Michi- 
gan was greatly promoted by these measures. 

In 1820, under the sanction of Mr. Calhoun, then 
Secretary of War, an expedition was planned by Gov- 
ernor Cass, the object of which was to pass through 
Lake Superior, cross the country to the Mississippi, ex- 
plore the sources of that river, and establish an inter- 
course with the Indians, on that extensive route. The 
party combined persons eminent for their military and 
scientific accomplishments. A preliminary object was, 
to inform the Indians at the Sault de St. Marie of the 
intention of government to establish a military post at 
that point, and to determine a suitable site. Connected 
with this undertaking, the following pubhshed incident 
will be read with interest : " On his arrival there, Gov- 
ernor Cass assembled the Indians and made known the 
object in view. Being under the influence of a chief 
who was notoriously disaffected towards the United 
States, they heard the proposition with evident ill-will, 
and broke up the council with every appearance of 
hostile intentions. They returned to their encampment, 
immediately transported their women and children over 
^ the river, and raised a British flag, as if in token of defi- 
ance. Governor Cass at once adopted the only course 
suited to the emergency. Taking only an interpretei 
with him, he advanced to the Indian encampment and 
pulled down, with his own hands, the Anglo-Savage flag, 
directing the interpreter to inform the Indians that they 
were within the jurisdiction of the United States, and 
that no other flag than theirs must be allowed to wave 



LEWIS CASS. 277 

over it. Having given this bold and practical rebuke, 
he returned to his party, taking with him the flag, and 
leaving the Indians to further reflection. The moral 
influence of this opportune and seemingly perilous step, 
was immediately seen ; new overtures were made by the 
Indians, which led to an amicable and satisfactory ad- 
justment. The course of the expedition, and most of its 
scientific results, have been published in Mr. School- 
craft's interesting journal." 

It would probably weary the reader, should we pre- 
sent full details of all the important treaties with the 
various Indian tribes which w^ere mainly conducted by 
Governor Cass: — in 1821, at Chicago; in J823, with 
the Delawares; in 1825, at Prairie du Chien; in 1827, 
and again in the following year, at St. Joseph's and Green 
Bay. These treaties occasioned him an incredible 
amount of fatigue in long and dangerous journeys, but 
were most fruitful in their results. In his rarious treaties, 
Governor Cass has acquired for the United States, and 
rescued from the wilderness, for great and practical agri- 
cultural purposes, many millions of acres of land ; and 
by a kindness of manner, as well as uprightness of nego- 
tiation, which it is believed never aggravated the lot of 
a single Indian or tribe. 

In 1822, the Council of Michigan held its first session. 
This body relieved the governor and judges of their 
legislative duties, and gave the government a more 
republican form. The messages which Governor Cass 
sent to the several councils, convened under his admin- 
istration, are said to have been written in a chaste and 
dignified style; indeed, all the documents that came 



278 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

from his pen, while governor of the territory, may be 
regarded as good models of executive composition, and 
exhibit a cultivated literary taste of a high order. 

In addition to his gubernatorial writings, General 
Cass has given to the world several important publica- 
tions. In the fiftieth and fifty-fifth numbers of the North 
American Review, he discussed the Indian character, 
language, and condition, in a style uncommonly ear- 
nest and eloquent. These articles, full of graphic his- 
tory, discriminating analysis, and statistical accuracy, 
attracted general attention, and imparted much gratifi- 
cation to the public mind. 

A historical society was formed in Michigan, in 1828, 
before which General Cass delivered the first address in 
1829, embodying the early history of Michigan, and 
bringing it down to the period when the United States 
came into possession of it. It was deemed of great 
value for its copious historical matter, and by its publi- 
cation much permanent information was secured. 

A still more elaborate production was occasioned by 
a request, in 1830, for an address before the alumni of 
Hamilton College, New York, at their anniversary 
meeting. The production delivered on that occasion 
displayed an affluence of reading and reflection which 
proved the author's acquaintance with most of the de- 
partments of knowledge, and doubtless did much to 
secure for him the honorary degree of LL.D., which he 
afterwards received from that college. He had before 
received literary honors from several of the leading his- 
torical and philosophical societies of the land. 

In July, 183\, General Cass was, by President Jack- 



LEWIS CASS. 279 

son, appointed Secretary of War. On being placed in 
this office, he resigned that of Governor of Michigan, in 
which he had officiated eighteen years. Says a writer 
in allusion to the event : " When he began his adminis- 
tration, he found the country small in population, with- 
out resources, and almost sunk under the devastations 
of war. He left it with a wide-spread population, and 
thriving with unprecedented prosperity. This auspi- 
cious condition mav not all be attributed to executive 
instrumentality : but an administration, impartial, vigi- 
lant, pervading, and intelligent, may be fairly supposed 
to have shed a happy influence on all around. It will 
long be remembered in Michigan, where its termination 
is universally regretted. In the important station which 
he now holds, his sphere of usefulness is enlarged, and 
none of his predecessors ever enjoyed a greater share of 
public confidence. 

" Strict and punctual in his business habits, plain and 
affable in his manners, with powers of mind which 
grasp, as it were, by intuition, every subject to which 
they are applied — united to various and extensive ac- 
quirements, we feel that we hazard nothing in the de- 
claration, that the measure of his fame is not yet full." 

Having performed very efficient service as Secretary 
of the War Department, General Cass was appointed 
Minister at the Court of France. The fidelity with 
which he performed this mission, maintaining the honor 
of his country with his pen as well as personal dignity, 
and his particular courtesy to all Americans, are well 
known. Those who have been abroad much, know 
painfully, that the latter quality is not always signalized 



280 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

by our functionaries, who, too often, find it more conve- 
nient to ape contiguous kingcraft, than pay the atten- 
tions to their repubUcan countrymen for which their 
office is held. But General Cass was a noble exception, 
and so was his successor, Mr. King, as from agreeable 
experience we can testify. Mrs. Sigourney, on being 
presented to the late royal family, the first day of 1841, 
wrote a poem in which she alluded to this " kind ambas- 
sador." The foot-note she appends to that expression 
embodies the sentiment of many hundreds. Says shci 
"How justly is this adjective applied to General Cass, 
and all his family. His unwearied attention to travel- 
lers from his native country, during the whole time that 
he has represented its interests at the Court of France, 
are deeply felt and fervently acknowledged. Without 
reference to political creed, or other adventitious dis- 
tinction, he not only gathers them around him w^ith 
liberal and elegant hospitality, but, aided by his whole 
household, strives to teach them the luxury of home- 
feeling in a foreign land." 

This high office, which he had so long and worthily 
filled. General Cass relinquished in October, 1842, and 
arrived in Boston, Dec. 6th. On the day previous to his 
departure a public dinner was given l:;im by his fellow 
citizens then in Paris, as a testimonial of their high re- 
spect and warm esteem.. 

The dinner went off with great eclat, and the com- 
pany separated at an early hour, bearing with them the 
recollection of a most delightful and agreeable evening, 
and with but one circumstance to modify their pleasure 
— the necessity of bidding adieu to him whose guests 



LEWIS CASS. 281 

they had so often been, and who now and for the last 
time was theh'S. 

On July 4th, 1843, the completion of the Wabash and 
Erie Canal was celebrated. After a prayer had been 
made by the chaplain, and the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence read, General Cass rose and delivered an oration 
from which we make the following selection. After an 
appropriate exordium, he says; 

" It is profitable in the career of life, occasionally to 
pause to withdraw ourselves from the very busy scenes, 
with which we mingle, and to look back upon the pro- 
gress we have made, and forward, as far as it is given to 
us to look forward upon the prospect before us. These 
are high places in the journey of life, whence the region 
around is best contemplated and understood. In all 
time great events have been thus commemorated. The 
principle has its foundation in human nature, though 
perverted in its application by power or superstition 
And many a monument which has survived its own 
history and the objects of its founders, yet looks out 
upon the silence around it, the solitary evidence of 
some great, but forgotten event in the fitful drama of 
life. And we have come up to-day to one of these 
high places to commune together. We have met from 
many a portion of our common country, and this great 
assemblage testifies, not less by its numbers, than by the 
imposing circumstances which surround it, that there 
is here passing one of those scenes which mark the pro- 
gress of society, and which form its character, and 
oftentimes its destiny. And so it is, and it is good for 
us to be here. We have not come to fight a battle, nor 



282 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

to commemorate one — we have not come to worship 
at the shrine of power, to celebrate the birth or the 
death of some unworthy ruler, the last step in political 
degradation. Nor have we come to commence, to 
complete, nor to commemorate some useless but im- 
posing structure, erected by pride, but paid for by pov- 
erty. 1 would not, however, be misunderstood. Far 
be it from us to censure or to check those feelings of 
love of country, or of religion, which seek their out- 
pourings in the erection of memorials upon spots which 
have drank the blood of the patriot or of the martyr. It 
is a tribute of virtue, which honors the dead and the 
living. But let it be voluntary. Then it will neither 
be unjust in its object, nor oppressive in its accomplish- 
ment. It will teach a lesson to after ages, which may 
stimulate virtue to action, and give fortitude to endure 
till the day of deliverance comes with its struggle and 
its reward. Look at the mighty Pyramids, which rise 
over the Arabian and the Libyan wastes, and which 
cast their shadow far in the desert, mocking the re- 
searches and the pride of man. They tell no tale but 
the old tale of oppression. They speak in their very 
massiveness, of pride and power on the one side, and 
misery and poverty on the other. One of the little 
channels which the Fellah has diverted from the great 
river at their base, and which spreads verdure and fer- 
tility over the valley, that owes so much to God, and so 
little to man, is far dearer to the oppressed population, 
than these useless and mighty structures. 

'' Our eastern brethren, with the characteristic liber- 
ality and patriotism, which make the descendants of the 



LEWIS CASS. 283 

pilgrims proud of the land of their ancestors, have just 
completed and dedicated a monument to mark the site 
of the battle, which opened the greatest contest between 
a powerful empire and her young and distant provinces, 
and whose influence, if it did not give to the Revolution 
its fortunate issue, impressed its character upon the 
whole struggle. We have no such place to hallow; but 
we have the people to do the deeds by which places are 
sanctified, and where the pilgrims of liberty come, not 
to worship but to reflect. We have not the w^ealth nor 
those ' appliances,' by which the long and imposing pro- 
cession, and the gorgeous pageantry, which a great city 
can arrange and display, affect, and almost subdue, the 
imagination. *' We have not the chief magistrate of the 
republic, with his official counsellors, to mark, as it 
were, with a national character, the occasion of our as- 
semblage. Nor have we constructed an obelisk, simple 
and severe in its style, but lasting as the deeds it com- 
memorates, whose foundation is laid in the graves of 
martyred patriots, but whose summit rises towards the 
heavens, telling the story of their fall, and proclaiming 
the gratitude of their countrymen. But there are here 
stout hearts and strong hands ; thousands, who would 
devote themselves, as did the men of Bunker Hill, to 
the cause of freedom, and who would fight as they 
fought, and die as they died, should their country de- 
mand the sacrifice. On the face of the globe, liberty 
has no more zealous defenders, nor patriotism more 
ardent votaries, than is this great assembly, the convo- 
cation of a people, who have made this region their own 
by all the ties that biud a man to his home, and who 



284 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

will defend it, and the institutions whicii belong to it, 
by all the means that energy and intelligence and de- 
votedness have ever brought to the great day of trial, 
and by which they have made it a day of triumph. 

"We have come here to join in another commemo- 
ration. To witness the union of the lakes and of the 
Mississippi. To survey one of the noblest works of 
man in the improvement of that great highway of na- 
ture, extending from New York to New Orleans, whose 
full moral and physical effects it were vain to seek 
even to conjecture. 

"And fitly chosen is the day of this celebration. 
This work is another ligament, which binds together 
this great confederated Republic. Providence has given 
us union, and many motives to preserve it. The sun 
never shown upon a country abounding more than ours 
does, in all the elements of prosperity. It were need- 
less to enumerate the advantages we enjoy, and which 
give us so distinguished a position among the nations 
of the world. They are seen and felt in all those evi- 
dences of prosperity and improvement, which greet the 
traveller wherever he passes through our country. 
And still more striking are they when we contrast our 
situation with that of the older regions of the world. I 
shall not enter into the comparison. I could speak of it 
from personal knowledge, but the task would not be a 
pleasant one, for it would recall many a cause of dis- 
content, and many a scene of misery, which meet the 
eye of the most careless observer, who exchanges the 
new hemisphere for the old. An American, who does 
not return to his own country a wiser man and a better 



LEWIS CASS. 285 

citizen, and prouder, and more contented, for all he has 
seen abroad, may well doubt his own head or heart, 
and may well be doubted by his countrymen. 

" Still, it is not to be disguised that, from the very 
constitution of human nature causes may occasionally 
exist, tending to weaken, though they cannot sever, the 
bonds which unite us ; and happy is it that these causes 
may be counteracted, and ultimately, we may hope, 
rendered powerless, by measures now in progress, which 
will add the ties of interest to the dictates of patriotism. 
Our railroads and canals are penetrating every section 
of our territory. They are annihilating time and space. 
They are embracing in their folds the ocean and the 
lake frontiers, and the great region extending from the 
Alleghany to the Rocky Mountains, through which the 
mighty Mississippi and its countless tributaries find their 
wav to the Gulf of Mexico. Once let this work be 
completed, and we are bound together by cords which 
no strength can sunder. The moral and political effect, 
therefore, of the great work before us, is even more im- 
portant than the physical advantages it promises. It 
will bear upon its bosom the products of a thousand 
fertile valleys, and it will spread gladness and prosperity 
over regions which have just been rescued from the In- 
dians, and from the animals, his co-tenants of the forest, 
which minister to his wants. But it will do more than 
this. It will make glad the heart of the patriot. As he 
sails along it, he will see, not merely the evidences and 
the cause of wealth and prosperity, but one of the ties 
which knit us together. By a process more fortunate 
than alchymist ever imagined, the feeblest element will 



286 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

be converted into the strongest bond. It will bear the 
boat and its freight to a market, where products may be 
interchanged and wealth acquired. But it will inter- 
change interests and feelings which no wealth can pur- 
chase, and for which no price can pay. Well, then, 
may we rejoice upon this day. The occasion and the 
time are in unison together. And while we thank God 
for the services and sacrifices which he enabled our 
fathers to make in the acquisition of freedom and inde- 
pendence, let us thank him, also, that we are able to 
strengthen their work, and to transmit to our children, 
as they transmitted to theirs, the noblest inheritance 
that belongs to man. The ark of the Constitution is yet 
untouched. Withered be the hand that would pollute it." 
After a graphic and eloquent sketch of what had 
transpired on that spot within less than two centuries, 
he proceeds with some statements which are interesting 
from their auto-biographical, as well as historical char- 

acter. Says he : 

" It is now forty-three years since I landed upon the 
northern shore of Ohio, a young adventurer seeking the 
land of promise ; which has been to him, as to many 
others, the land of performance. At that time, the 
Territory of Indiana was not organized, and the States 
of Ohio, of Indiana, of Illinois, and of Michigan, and the 
Territory of Wisconsin, formed one government, under 
the name of the North- Western Territory." 

.Passing over a vivid description of the horrors of In- 
dian warfare, we come to the following description : 

" Nature has been prodigal of her favors to the val- 
ley of the Maumee. I can never forget the first time it 



LEWIS CASS. 287 

met my eye. It was at the commencement of the late 
war, when the troops, destined for the defence of De- 
troit, had passed through the forest from Urbanna, to 
the Rapids. The season Iiad been wet, and much of 
the country was low, and the whole of it unbroken by 
a single settlement, and we had cut our road, and trans- 
ported our provisions and baggage, with great labor and 
difficulty. We were heartily tired of the march, and 
were longing for its termination, when we attained the 
brow of the table land, through which the Maumee has 
made a passage for itself, and a fertile region for those 
who have the good fortune to occupy it. Like the 
mariner, we felt that we had reached a port; like the 
wanderer, a home. I have since visited the three other 
quarters of the globe, and passed over many lands and 
seas. But my memory still clings to the prospect which 
burst upon us, in a bright day in June, from the valley 
of the Maumee ; to the river, winding away beyond 
our view ; to the rapids, presenting every form of the 
most picturesque objects ; to the banks, clothed with 
deep verdure ; and to the rich bottoms, denuded of tim- 
ber, as though inviting the labor and enterprise of the 
settler." 

He proceeds to give interesting details of the weary 
modes of travelling to which the early inhabitants were 
subjected, passes a fine encomium on the enterprise 
which had opened such improved facilities through the 
new canal, and forcibly illustrates the feasibility and im- 
portance of such improvements. 

The progress of great American enterprises, and the 



288 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

impressions they produce on European nations, are 
well stated in the following extract : 

" It is but a few years since our attention was sys- 
tematically turned to the improvement of our means of 
internal communication. The first impulse was given 
by the State of New York, in the projection and com- 
mencement of her great work, an evidence alike of her 
energy and wisdom, and an enduring monument of her 
perseverance, and of which the whole country is now 
gathering the fruits. Since then, many other States, 
unwillino- to be left behind in the career of advance- 
ment, have followed the same route, and everywhere 
canals and railroads have sprung into existence, facili- 
tating the communication between the most distant parts 
of the country, and ministering to those w^ants of inter- 
course, which are at once the cause and the effect of 
active exertion and of commercial prosperity. Our 
social and political institutions and our national charac- 
ter, alternately operating upon each other, have never 
achieved a prouder triumph, nor furnished a more irre- 
fragable proof of their tendency to promote human hap- 
piness, than in this peaceful victory over the natural 
impediments which divided, though they could not sepa- 
rate us, and which has increased our capacity for de- 
fence, as much as it has added to our stock of wealth. 
The fate of republican institutions is in our hands. If 
the great experiment, as it is elsewhere and tauntingly 
called, but which every American knows is no longer 
an experiment, that is in progress among us, of the 
power of man to govern himself should fail, ages may 
pass away before the rights and safety of all are again 



LEWIS CASS. 289 

committed to the custody of all. Fortunate it is, there- 
fore, when the operation of our system can be pre- 
sented to the old world in a point of view, in which it 
can be examined and appreciated, by being brought into 
comparison with the effects of the institutions that 
prevailed there. No effort of this country, in its onward 
march, has awakened more attention, or excited more 
admiration, than the successful progress we have made 
in this great enterprise — this greatest of enterprises in 
the history of internal improvement. The geographical 
maps make known the gigantic features of our confede- 
ration, and the statistical tables and the reports of trav- 
ellers made known the communications, natural and 
artificial, by w^hich it is knit together. 

" The works, both of nature and of man, are on a 
scale of proportion unknown in that part of the world. 
Rivers traversing the earth from the artic to the tropi- 
cal regions; lakes, or rather seas, where navies have 
rode, and victories been gained ; railroads extending 
from the Atlantic to Lake Erie, a distance of five hun- 
dred miles, and intersecting the country in all important 
directions ; and canals penetrating our valleys, and as- 
cending our mountains, and forming one after another, 
great lines of communication which would circumscribe 
many a European kingdom. And before these works 
the forest gives way. They are not confined to the 
more densely peopled portions of our country, but like 
the hardy settler, they are marching with giant strides 
towards the remote frontier. Already they have passed 
the cabin of the pioneer of improvement, diid the hut of 
the Indian. They remove from their pam the lofty and 
13 



290 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

primeval trees, the relics of a former age, and the con- 
temporaries, perhaps, and witnesses of strange events 
forever lost to the knowledge of the world ; and before 
them om- primitive people are receding, and seeking a 
new home, where the approach of the white man may 
be delayed, but cannot be prevented. It is a popular 
remark with the Indians, that when the bee comes 
among them, it is soon followed by the big knives. But 
there is now another precursor, which announces to the 
secluded village that the civilized stranger is at hand, 
propelled by some monster, whose fearful sound precedes 
him, and which, ascending the solitary stream, pene- 
trates the recesses of the forest, and proclaims to its 
tenants, that ere long their council houses will become 
desolate, and the plough will pass over the graves of 
their fathers. 

"In Europe this is a rate of progress utterly un- 
known, and comprehended with difficulty. There they 
deliberate, while here we act. If more caution would 
give more certainty of success, it would take from the 
energy of purpose, and of action, which has carried us 
forward in our career, both physically and morally, with 
a rapidity unknown in the history of the world, and 
which opens to a future, cheering to the heart of the 
patriot, and encouraging to the lover of humanity. It ift 
that energy which, if it commit faults, can repair them 
— which always operating, is never discomfitted ; ac- 
complishing its projects when practicable, and turn- 
ing to others with equal confidence and perseverance, 
when checked by insuperable difficulties." 

The closing portion of this admirable oration we 



LEWIS CABS. 291 

quote at length. It is a fair specimen of the author's 
style, and is too good to be abbreviated. 

" We come here to rejoice together. Memorable 
deeds make memorable days. There is a power of asso- 
ciation given to man, which binds together the past and 
the present, aud connects both with the future. Great 
events hallow the sites where they pass. Then return- 
ing anniversaries, so long as these are remembered, are 
kept with sorrow or joy, as they were prosperous or 
adverse. To-day a new work is born — a work of peace 
and not of war. We are celebrating the triumph of 
art, and not of arms. Centuries hence, we may hope 
that the river you have made, will still flow east and 
west, bearing upon its bosom the riches of a prosperous 
people, and that our descendants will come to keep the 
day, which we have come to mark, and that as it returns 
they will remember the exertions of their ancestors 
while they gather the harvest. Associations are power- 
ful in the older regions of the eastern continent, and 
strongly aflect the imagination. They belong, however, 
to the past. Here, they are strong and vigorous, and 
belong to the future. There, hope is extinct, and history 
has closed its record. Time has done its work. Here 
we have no past ; all has been done within the mem- 
ory of man. Our province of action is the present, of 
contemplation, the future. No man can stand upon the 
scene of one of those occurrences which has produced 
a decisive effect upon the fate of nations, and which 
history has rendered familiar to us from youth, without 
being withdrawn from the influence of the present, and 
carried back to the period of conflict, of doubt, and of 



.292 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

success, which attend some mighty struggle. All this 
is the triumph of mind, the exertion of intellect, which 
elevates us in the scale of being, and furnishes us with 
another and pure source of enjoyment. Even recent 
events, around which time has not gathered its shadows, 
sanctify the places of their origin. What American 
can survey the field of battle at Bunker Hill, or at New 
Orleans, without recalling the deeds which will render 
these names imperishable ? Who can pass the islands 
of Lake Erie, without thinking upon those who sleep 
in the waters below, and upon the victory which broke 
the power of the enemy, and led to the security of an 
extensive frontier? There no monument can be 
erected, for the waves roll, and will roll over them. 
But he who met the enemy and made them ours, and 
his devoted companions, will live in the recollections of 
the American people, while there is virtue to admire, 
patriotism or gratitude to reward it. I have stood upon 
the plain of Marathon, the battle-field of liberty. It is 
silent and desolate. Neither Greek nor Persian is there, 
to give life and animation to the scene. It is bounded 
by sterile hills on one side, and lashed by the eternal 
waves of the Egean Sea on the other. But Greek and 
Persian were once there, and that dreary spot was alive 
with hostile armies, who fought the great fight which 
rescued Greece from the yoke of Persia. 

" And I have stood also upon thehillof Zion, the city 
of Jerusalem, the scene of our Redeemer's sufferings 
and crucifixion, and ascension. But the sceptre has 
departed from Judah, and its glory from the capital ot 
Solomon. The Assyrian, the Egyptian, the Greek, the 



LEWIS CASS. 293 

Roman, the Arab, the Turk, and the Crusader, have 
passed over this chief place of Israel, and have reft it of 
its power and beauty. Well has the denunciation of 
the prophet of misfortunes been fulfilled, when he de- 
clared that ' the Lord had set his face against this city 
for evil and not for good ;' when he pronounced the 
words of the Most High, ' I will cause to cease from the 
city of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the 
voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of 
the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride ; for the land 
shall be desolate.' 

" In those regions of the east where society passed its 
infancy, it seems to have reached decrepitude. If the 
association, which the memory of the past glory excites, 
are powerful, they are melancholy. They are without 
joy for the present, and without hope for the future. 
But here we are in the freshness of youth, and can look 
forward, with national confidence, to ages of progress 
in all that gives power and pride to man, and dignity to 
human nature. No deeds of glory hallow this region. 
But nature has been bountiful to it in its best gifts, and 
art and industry are at work to extend and improve 
them. You cannot pierce the barrier which shuts in 
the past, and separates you from the great highway of 
nations. You have opened a vista to the Atlantic and 
the Gulf of Mexico. From this elevated point, two seas 
are before us, which your energy and perseverance have 
brought within reach. It is better to look forward to 
prosperity than back to glory. To the mental eye no 
prospect can be more magnificent than here meets the 
vision. I need not stop to describe it. It is before ua 



294 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

in the long regions of fertile land, which stretch off to 
the east and west, to the north and south, in all the ad- 
vantages that Providence has liberally bestowed upon 
them, and in the changes and improvements which 
man is making. The forest is fading and falling, and 
towns and villages are rising and flourishing. And bet- 
ter still, a moral, intelligent, and industrious people are 
spreading themselves over the whole face of the country, 
and making it their own and their home. And what 
changes and chances await us? Shall we go on 
increasing and improving, and united ? or shall we add 
another to the list of republics, which have preceded 
us, and which have fallen the victims of their own fol- 
lies and dissentions ? My faith in the stability of our 
institutions is enduring, my hope is strong ; for they rest 
upon public virtue and intelligence. There is no por- 
tion of our country more interested in their preserva- 
tion than this, and no one more able and willing to main- 
tain them. We may here claim to occupy the citadel 
of freedom. No foreign foe can approach us ; and while 
the west is true to itself and its country, its example will 
exert a powerful influence upon the whole confedera- 
tion, and its strength, if need be, will defend it." 

Since the above oration was delivered. General Cass 
has for some time been a member of the United States 
Senate. The reputation he has born therein, and be- 
fore the country, as a sagacious, patriotic and eloquent 
debater is of a high order. But our limits will not ad- 
mit any more examples. In what remains, we shall 
submit a few remarks on the particular trait in this ora 
tor, his courtesy. 



LEWIS CASS. 295 

In all his private intercourse with men, and deport- 
ment towards nations, ctur distinguished countryman 
has rarely been accused of being severe, and then it was 
evidently from patriotic considerations, and not from 
personal disrespect. 

We have seen w^hat a large number of difficult treaties 
with western savages General Cass had occasion to ne- 
gociate, and with what success he performed the task. 
In the war department, in executive functions and 
foreign diplomacy, he has ben equally efficient and suc- 
cessful. This is to be explained, in a great measure, by 
the fact, that his kindness of manner is calculated to 
conciHate an honorable concurrence not less than his 
firmness tends to command respect. This is the quality 
so justly celebrated by Cicero, in his offices, at the opening 
of the fourteenth section of the second book : " But of 
speaking or discourse there are two sorts ; the one proper 
only for common conversation, the other, for pleadings 
and debates in public. Of these two, the latter, which 
is what w^e call eloquence, is apparently more powerful 
towards the attainment of glory ; but yet it is inexpressi- 
ble of what influence courtesy and affability are, in the 
business of obtaining men's love and affections. There 
are extant letters of Philip to Alexander, Antipater to 
Cassander, and Antigonus to Philip; in which these 
most wise and prudent princes (for such we are told they 
really w^ere) advise each his son to speak kindly to the 
multitude, and try to win the hearts of both them and 
the soldiers by gentle words and familiar appellations." 
A public man will be likely to succeed in his 
career, just so far as he practices that kind of demea- 



296 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

nor, which benevolence dictates, ana prudence con- 
firms. By being cautious of insulting the weakest, 
and ever ready to oblige the lowest, he will exemplify a 
generosity that is sure to engross the good will of all be- 
neath him, while he at the same time attains habits of 
forbearance and fortitude which constitute the best safe- 
guard against all the malice of the ignoble great. He 
who, from native generosity, would not bruise a worm, 
will be the slowest to incur the venom of a serpent ; and 
when maliciously stung, will find no small mitigation of 
his pangs in the sympathies of all the magnanimous and 
good. Says old Bishop Hall, " There is an affable fami- 
liarity that becometh greatness. It is not good for emi- 
nent persons to stand always upon the height of their 
state; but so to behave themselves, that as their social 
carriage may not breed contempt, so their over-highness 
may not breed a servile fearfulness in their people. Cer- 
emonies of respectfulness, though they be in themselves 
slight and arbitrary, yet the neglect of them, in some 
cases may undergo a dangerous construction. How 
well it becomes the great to stoop unto a courteous affa- 
bility, and to exchange words of respect, even with 
their humble vassals !" 

To cultivate a disposition to please and oblige our 
fellow creatures is to conform to the scriptural injunc- 
tion, " be courteous" — " be gentle to all men," — and in 
this respect, especi:llly. General Cass is worthy of being 
emulated by every public or private individual. He has 
learned that to refuse graciously what he cannot grant 
honestly, and to conciliate those whom it is impossible 
or unjust to subdue, is the instrument of best service and 



LEWIS CASS. 297 

the means of most good. To many persons it doubtless 
seemed ludicrous in the citizens of obscure Megara, 
when they offered the freedom of their city to Alexan- 
der, who had conquered the world ; but it was a mark 
of true sagacity, as well as true nobility, in him, to 
receive this tribute of their respect with complacency, on 
being told that they had never offered it to any but to Her- 
cules and himself Hollow trees are always the stiffest; 
but the mightiest oak, if sound, can bend. The more 
exalted a man is by station, the more powerful should he 
be by kindness; in life and in death, he should strive to 
deserve the encomium pronounced on Patroclus by the 
great Atrides : 

" How skilled he was in each obliging art ; 
The mildest manners, and the gentlest heart." 

Nothing, however, can constitute good breeding that 
has not good nature for its foundation, and comprehen- 
sive goodness for its main design. The courtesy it em- 
ploys is real, and not superficial ; it is the deep and pro- 
Hfic source of refined manners, polite action, kind words 
and beneficent deeds. It has a potent influence in the 
^vorld. Though it cannot of itself alone create a good 
name, nor absolutely supply the want of it ; yet it is a 
quality which strongly attracts to its possessor the 
confidence and esteem of all classes of mankind. There 
is no policy like politeness, since a good manner often 
succeeds where the best logic has failed. Moreover 
this is an attribute which may be employed as effect- 
ively to correct the unworthy as it is most useful to 
inspire confidence in the timid and encourage the de- 
13* 



^98 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

serving. ''Nothing sharpens the arrow of sarcasm so 
keenly, as the same com'tesy that polishes it, and noth- 
ing exposes and arrests impertinence so efficaciously as 
the contrast presented by amenity. No reproach is like 
that we clothe with a smile and present with a bow." 
A fine illustration of this truth is presented in the fourth 
book of Paradise Lost. The reproof which the devil 
most keenly felt, was that which was most respectfully 
oresented : 

" So spake the cherub ; and his grave rebuke, 
Severe in youthful beauty, added grace 
Invincible ; abashM the devil stood, 
And felt how awful goodness is, and saw 
Virtue, in her shape how lovely; saw and pin'd 
His loss; but chiefly to find here observ'd 
His lustre visibly impaired ; yet seem'd 
Undaunted." 

It should be particularly observed that gentleness is 
not weakness. A mind that is addicted only to fawning 
and flattery will never honor truth and duty by an alle- 
giance based on principle and adorned by true noble- 
ness of spirit. Such an unsubstantial character can no 
more be made to assume the aspect of real politeness, 
than a sponge, or a fungus of any sort can be polished 
like a diamond or gold. Lead may be heavy enough for 
many useful purposes, but it is too unsubstantial and 
worthless to be coined into the currency of a nation ; and 
so of the public men it symbolizes, they are too stupid 
to be trusted, and too uncouth to be admired. But true 
greatness is always sympathetic and generous. Homer, 
that just observer of nature, makes no scruple to repre- 



I 



LEWIS CASS. 299 

sent Ulysses — his best of men; and Achilles — his 
bravest of men, frequently in tears. Jonathan and 
David were the most heroical men of their age; yet 
they wept on each other's neck, till each exceeded. 
And what a lesson do we learn at the grave of Lazarus ! 
He whose disposition is most favorable to the produc- 
tion of happiness within himself, is of necessity and nat- 
urally most agreeable to others ; and these common qual- 
ities of pleasing and being pleased mutually react upon 
and generate each other. " The great boast of polished 
life," says JefTry, " is the delicacy, and even the gen- 
erosity of its hostility — that quality which is still the 
characteristic, as it furnishes the denomination, of a 
gentleman — that principle which forbids us to attack the 
defenseless, to strike the fallen, or to mangle the slain — 
and enjoins us, in forging the shafts of satire, to increase 
the polish exactly as we add to their keenness or their 
weight." In his letter to the Duke of Ormond, Dryden 
speaks on this topic in his own rich, characteristic style. 
Says he, " Gold, as it is the purest, so it is the softest and 
most_ ductile of all metals. Iron, which is the hardest, 
gathers rust, corrodes itself, and is therefore subject to 
corruption : it was never intended for coins and medals, 
or to bear the faces and inscriptions of the great. In- 
deed, it is fit for armor, to bear off insults, and preserve 
the wearer in the day of battle ; but the danger once 
repelled, it is laid aside by the brave, as a garment too 
rough for civil conversation — a necessary guard in war, 
but too harsh and cumbersome in peace, and which 
keeps off the embraces of a more humane-life/' 



300 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

The mild courtesy of a truly generous heart, froduces 
gracious manners, as genial sunshine and dew elicit the 
verdure and odors of earth, imparting alike to opening 
flower and benignant character, a most captivating 
charm. But when urbanity is separated from religious 
charity, it is rather the law of strife than a treaty of 
peace between men ; since, without that divine virtue, 
a man may appear courteous at times, while, as St. 
Bernard said of Peter Abailard, he is unlike himself — 
externally a John, and within a Herod. Even his appa- 
rent kindness will be employed habitually with the inten- 
tion of injuring more deeply. Don Alonzo, king of 
Naples, hearing one day a certain man praising his ene- 
my, " remark," said he " the artifice of the man, and 
you will see that his praises are only for the purpose of 
doing him more harm." The event verified the predic- 
tion. Indeed, along with native generosity of heart, 
nothing but the love of God and the direction of the 
secret purpose to his glory in the general welfare, can 
be the source of real, sincere and lasting courtesy. It 
was set forth in no mean light by Homeric Nestor, who 
received the two strangers with such kindness, although 
he thought in his mind that they might be robbers who 
passed over the watery ways, bearing evil to men of 
other nations. But the great apostle of the Gentiles pre- 
sents a much higher and better example when, writing 
to Philemon concerning his poor servant Onesimus, he 
says, '' If he hath wronged thee, or oweth the aught, put 
that on mine account, I, Paul, have written it with 
mine own hand, I will repay it." This is the gracious- 



LEWIS CASS. 301 

n^ss which is practically useful, and which all should 
exemplify. 

" Then only shows of kindness have their worth, 
When outward courtesies truly declare 
The heart that keeps them." 



CHAPTER VII. 



THOMAS H.BENTON, 

THE MAGISTERIAL. 

About ten years since, a sketch of Thomas Hart 
Benton was presented to the pubUc through the medium 
of the Democratic Review. From that work we extract 
the subjoined biographical remarks, preparatory to a 
yet more particular survey of the mental and oratorical 
character of our distinguished countryman. 

" On the seventeenth of January, 1837, at the close 
of the long debate which had taken place in the Senate 
of the United States, on the famous ' expunging resolu- 
tion,' shortly before the vote was to be taken, of which 
the issue had not been left doubtful by the previous im- 
perative decision of public opinion. Col. Benton, of 
Missouri, rose in his place, and, addresbing himself to 
the Vice President in the chair, in the course of a brief, 
but emphatic speech, referring back to the scene whicn 
had been enacted on the same spot three eventful years 
before, on the adoption of Mr. Clay's memorable reso- 
lution of condemnation of the late President for the re- 
moval of the deposites, and to his own prophecy, then 
fearlessly hazarded, that that resolution should be ' ex- 




'S'llIOIt.i^^^^ 



o5133^35r^®SS" 



J^.^fte-heltn^ZiJA ///^arfou JZ ^.'J? 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 303 

punged' by the people of the United States from the 
journal of the Senate, uttered the following well-known 
words, which have become imperishably associated with 
his name : 

" ' Solitary and alone I set this ball in motion !' " 
" This is the moment that the artist has selected as the 
most strikingly illustrative of the character of the Sena- 
tor from Missouri ; and no one who has ever seen and 
heard Col. Benton, will hesitate in recognizing the fea- 
tures, air, and attitude of the * Great Expunger.' 

" Col. Benton is about fifty-four (64) years of age. 
His senatorial life dates from the year 1820, when he 
was elected by the Legislature of Missouri, before the 
formal admission of that State into the Union by Con- 
gress. He had removed to Missouri about five years 
before, from Tennessee ; where he had immediately 
arisen to distinction at the bar. It will be remembered 
that the Representatives from that State were not ad- 
mitted to their seats in Congress till the succeeding year. 
The interval Col. Benton devoted to study, in prepara- 
tion for the career which a worthy ambition had already, 
doubtless, marked out before him, in public life. Within 
that time he made himself master, in particular, of the 
Spanish language, and, to a considerable extent, of its 
literature. 

" He early rose to a prominent position in the Sen- 
ate ; and his speech at the session of 1823-4, on the bill 
which (as chairman of a select committee) he intro- 
duced, to amend the Constitution with respect to the 
mode of the Presidential election, was one of remarka- 
ble ability and force. It contained but one erroneous 



304 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA, 

position, of which exp'erience was not long in demon' 
strating the fallacy. Though he was opposed to the 
practice of choosing the Presidential electors by general 
ticket, or by the legislatures of the States, as he was, in 
fact, to the whole system of an intermediate electoral 
body between the people themselves, and the object of 
their choice for that high dignity, yet he was in favor 
of the umpirage of Congress, in the case of a failure to 
elect a majority candidate by the people on the first trial, 
with a single equal vote to every State, without refer- 
ence to population. This was, in our opinion, carrying 
the State-Rights' principle (our sheet anchor, when not 
abused,) to an improper extreme, and implied a confi- 
dence in Congress, for the exercise of that dangerous 
power, neither justified by first principles, nor by subse- 
quent experience. On this latter point he found him- 
self in natural opposition to Mr. Van Buren, being re- 
presentatives, the one from one of the largest, and the 
other from one of the least populous States in the Union. 
Mr. Van Buren was then, as he has ever since been, in 
favor of a second appeal to the popular vote. In the 
course of his speech, however. Col. Benton paid a 
handsome personal tribute to his eminent opponent. 
Col. Benton sat on the same committee (Military Afiairs) 
with General Jackson, of which they were both very 
industrious and valuable members, the latter being the 
chairman. Here was necessarily renewed some portion 
of that intercourse which had in former years been of 
the most friendly and intimate character, but which had 
received an unhappy interruption from an occurrence 
too well known to the public to need further allusion. 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 305 

It was still many years, however, before it did, or could 
resume a tone at all resembling its former character ; 
and, in fact, no personal explanation of that occurrence, 
nor allusion to it, ever passed between them until one 
or two evenings before President Jackson's departure 
from this city to the Hermitage, last March. That con- 
versation was of a very solemn and aflecting character. 
Long since, indeed, had every trace disappeared from 
the bosom of each, of that hostile feeling which had had 
its origin, on Col. Benton's part, only in the exasperated 
affections of a brother, and the pernicious influence of 
that pest of society — mischief makers; and which, on 
the part of General Jackson, the frank, manly, warm- 
hearted soldier, may be said never to have had an exist- 
ence ; and its place had been resumed by the memory 
of early friendship, mutual services, and the equal con- 
fidence of each in the honor and integrity of the other. 
"Col. Benton continued a determined member of the 
opposition during the term of Mr. Adams, as he has 
been one of the main pillars of support to the democratic 
administration which succeeded it. It is not necessary 
to specify the particular occasions on which he has dis- 
tinguished himself in his parliamentary life. The events 
are so recent, as they were striking, that they are doubt- 
less fresh within the memory of most of our readers. 
The panic session cannot be passed, however, without a 
brief notice. In this Col. Benton sustained, unaided, 
except by the support of two or three gallant friends, 
(of whom the present Secretary of State was, perhaps, 
the most effective in impromptu debate,) the whole 
brunt of the tremendous attack with which the admin- 



306 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

istration was then assailed, with a fury and powerful 
array of talent and eloquence never before witnessed in 
any legislative body. His services then rendered to the 
democratic cause can never be forgotten, and never re- 
paid, except by the proud consciousness of the eventual 
triumph by which they have been so signally crowned. 
His controversy with Mr. Clay, in the famous Veto de- 
bate in 1832, affords, perhaps, as striking a specimen of 
his powers in this kind of gladiatorial encounter, as any 
that could be selected. If, on that famous field, either 
party may be said to have been borne worsted to the 
ground, it certainly was not the democratic orator, whose 
panache rode proudly, like that of Henri IV., above the 
tide of the battle, unbowed and unsullied. 

"Col. Benton is by birth a North Carolinian, being a 
native of the county of Orange, and sprung emphati- 
cally from the people of that sound republican State. 
In fact, North Carolina has been singularly illustrious in 
the number of great men that she has contributed to 
the young States of the South and West. At various 
periods within the history of the Government, she has 
been able to claim as her native sons more than half a 
dozen of the Senators in Congress ; and at this time she 
has on the same floor not less than eight members, 
who may be fairly estimated as among the first men of 
the day. Even Ohio, in the person of the youngest Sen- 
ator, has sent a North Carolinian ; and Alabama, Mis- 
sissippi and Tennessee would seem almost to believe that 
none other than a native of that State can do justice to 
the dignified functions of an American Senator. The 
ancestors of Col. Benton were among the leaders of the 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 307 

Revolution of 1775, and contributed in every way to 
the service of their country. The family of the Harts, 
from which he is descended on the mother's side, was 
one of the most active in the State, in furtherance of 
the settlement of Kentucky, which was originally com- 
menced in North Carolina, under the name of the Tran- 
sylvania Colony; and it is sometimes cited by North 
Carolinians, with no little pride, that the people of that 
State (and among them the Harts) were the real back- 
ers of the famous Daniel Boone. Col. Benton may 
thus claim to be a hereditary defender of the liberties 
and the rights of the people ; and for this purpose a 
reference back to a man's ancestry may be not only 
proper, even for a democrat, but praiseworthy, as an 
honorable incentive to zeal and devotion to the same 
good old cause. He is, and has ever been, most emphati- 
cally a democrat. He has been faithful to this princi- 
ple from the outset of his public life, as it will prove 
faithful to him before its close. He has been a deep 
student of the history of our government, as of all 
ancient and modern times, for the great purpose of sus- 
taining the popular cause against all aristocratic usur- 
pation, under whatever form disguised. He is no parlor 
politician. He does not come from the palaces of 
cities, or the elegantly furnished chambers of ' Offices 
of Discount and Deposite.' His constituency is to be 
found among the hardy and true-hearted pioneers of 
civilization, in the farthest South and West. 

" His earliest sympathies are with the ploughman and 
planter of the land, and his political creed is embued 
with the honesty and simplicity of their lives. His elo- 



308 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

quence in debate he caught from the strong native feel- 
ing and sagacity of those v^^ho till the soil, and substan- 
tially produce all the annual w^ealth of the nation, 
and not from the specious sophistry which so many 
of our American statesmen imbibe, insensibly, from 
the legions of speculators of every hive, and variety 
— subsisting, in reality, on that great producing mass 
with which our cities swarm. We repeat that it 
is this arduous devotion to the service of the democratic 
cause, in opposition to all encroachments on the plain 
original principle of equality of rights, which has gradu- 
ally raised the Missouri Senator to his present com- 
manding position, and has given such distinguished 
eclat to his name throughout the whole American 
Union. 

*' Perseverance, that attribute of all truly great and 
powerful minds, has through life been a remarkable 
trait of Col.»Benton's character. Establishing his prin- 
ciples at the outset, basing them all on an unwavering 
faith in the intelligence and integrity of the people, 'and 
guiding his course by the single polar star of the demo- 
cratic principle, he goes fearlessly forward in his own 
path, equally unmindful who may oppose, or who may 
follow. He reaches his position, and takes his stand 
there, waiting for public opinion to come up to him, 
however far distant it may seem to lag behind ; he does 
not go back and linger and hesitate with it, but devotes 
himself, with all his energies and industry, to hasten it 
forward and quicken its development. Such a man 
must necessarily for a long time stand alone ; and it 
requires a high degree of moral courage, firmness of pur- 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 309 

pose, and conscientious belief of the truth of his princi- 
ples, to nriaintain such a position. He is for a long time 
regarded, even by the great body of his own friends, as 
a visionary ultra — as £P theorist whose views are too 
wild for practicability ; enemies will doubtless christen 
him and his ideas as a stupendous ' humbug ;' but in 
the end, the progress of events and of public opinion 
will probably come up to his position, and the conse- 
quence will be that he will then stand forward as its most 
prominent representative. 

" Such are the men that work great revolutions and 
reforms ; though whether, when they have achieved 
that, their mission, they are found to combine with that 
impulsive energy which has thus far been their leading 
attribute, those other qualities suitable to the regulation 
and conduct of affairs afterwards, on which alone a per- 
fect and safe public confidence can be based, remains a 
question to be dispassionately considered, and on which 
we do not pretend to pass an opinion. It is very cer- 
tain that the authors of revolutions have not unfre- 
quently been those on whom the public confidence 
would be the last to fix, as the most suitable persons to 
preside over the action of the new state of things estab- 
lished by them ; and many instances might be pointed 
to in which, after having been so selected by the gene- 
rous impulse of popular gratitude, they have proved far 
from competent to this new and widely different duty. 
Of this, however, the public opinion, the vox populi, is 
the best and the only proper judge, and it would ill be- 
come us to attempt to forestall it in the slightest degree. 

" There is a great deal of popular misapprehension of 



310 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Col. Benton's views of financial science, at present the 
principal question on which the two great parties of the 
country stand at issue. 

They have been so long and so loudly denounced as 
violent and absurd, in the extremes to which they go, 
that, notwithstanding our repeated experience of the 
rule, that opposition party clamor, against a prominent 
man ought to work by inverse proportion, some con- 
siderable effect has certainly been produced unfavorable 
to the distinguished Senator, even upon his own party. 
This eflect is somewhat analogous to the cases of Jef- 
ferson, whom some good people were honestly made to 
imagine all that was unprincipled, both in his public and 
private capacity — of General Jackson, whom many ac- 
tually supposed an illiterate ignorant dotard, whose stub- 
born honesty w^as his only good quality — of the present 
incumbent of the same elevated office, whom not a few, 
even of his own party and friends, have been made by 
dint of reiteration and positive assertion, in the very face 
of repeated facts, to believe a rather timid and time- 
serving politician, forgetful that moral courage is most 
contracted when calmest, deepest when most quiet. 
Col. Benton's views, though much misrepresented, have 
never pointed to a compulsory abolition of all paper 

m 

money, or the destruction of banks. The disconnection 
of the Government from the banking interest — the restric- 
tive influence which w^ould be exerted by confining the 
fiscal action of the Government to the currency con- 
templated by the Constitution, to moderate the constant 
tendency of paper money to excess and abuse — and the 
reform of the anti-republican monopoly feature of the 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 311 

system, as it has hitherto existed — comprise the sub- 
stance of the views which have often been denounced 
as ultra and impracticable, as entertained by Col. Ben- 
ton. The constitutional currency for the minor pur- 
poses of life — credit paper for the larger operations of 
commerce, for those who choose to use its facilities with 
their eyes open, and the privilege of choice — is ac- 
knowledged by all the divisions of the democratic party 
who have followed united under the flag of reform of 
the late administration, as the common creed; the only 
difference of opinion is as to the mode of carrying it into 
effect — a difference of opinion which need not, and can- 
not, long remain a subject of serious party divisions." 

From these general remarks on Mr. Benton's personal 
history and political character, let us pass to the con- 
sideration of his published sentiments, that we may veri- 
fy their worth. The first specimen we adduce is taken 
from a speech made by him in the Senate, Dec. 23, 
1828, on the Public Debt. Herein will be seen, what 
has ever been a prominent trait in this patriot, a firm re- 
sistance to all great nominal monopolies. Having urged 
many considerations against the proposed measure, he 
proceeds, near the close of his argument, to say : 

" I am for the abolition, because the wielding of ten 
millions of surplus revenue would dangerously increase 
the patronage of the Federal Government. It is now 
mortgaged to the public debt, and its application to that 
object being fixed and regular, involves the exercise o\ 
but little patronage. Released from the mortgage, it 
would be applicable to innumerable objects, and subject 
to the annual appropriation of Congress. Its distribu- 



312 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

tion would attract all eyes, and excite universal cupidi- 
ty. It would draw deputations from cities, towns and 
villages, from companies, and corporations, from coun- 
ties, states and districts, to the feet of the Federal Gov- 
ernment, all clamorous for their share of the spoil, and 
neglecting their own business to obtain it ; all becoming 
less independent in proportion as they received it, like 
the degenerate Romans who began to lose the spirit of 
independence from the moment they began to look to 
the public granaries, instead of their own cribs, for a 
supply of corn. 

" I am for the abolition, because an annual scramble 
on the floors of Congress for ten millions of dollars v»'Ould 
fill our halls with bargains, combinations, intrigues and 
corruption. The effect would be inevitable. Help my 
State to half a million, and I will help yours to another 
half Such would soon be the secret, and before long, 
the open and unblushing language. A majority might 
even meet beforehand, and divide the whole among their 
own States. They might even do worse, they might in- 
sert appropriations for roads and canals in States whose 
representatives denied the constitutionality of such ap- 
propriations, and thus subject them to the censure of all 
their constituents who admitted the power, or denying 
it, still thought they ought to have their share while it 
was going. In this way the delegation of a State might 
be rendered obnoxious to their constituents, and broken 
down at home by a manceuvre here. Is this fancy, or 
is it fact ? exclaimed Mr. B. It is fact, and the history 
of our legislation proves it. Within the last three years, 
the manoeuvre was tried. A bill came up from the H. 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 313 

R. with appropriations for internal improvement for a 
majority of the States, including some whose delegations 
could not vote for such objects. The bill passed through 
this chamber, and became a law ; but the design against 
the members failed. A kindly feeling prevailed. The 
yeas and nays were not called. The bill went through 
without noise, and the obnoxious voters were not point- 
ed out to their constituents. This thing may be at- 
tempted again upon a greater scale, and with a more 
determined intent, if ten milhons are to be annually 

divided out. 

"I am for the abolition, because the annual division of 

ten millions of dollars would fill this Union with discord 

and violence. The division of money and property is 

the fruitful source of dissension all over the world, and 

throughout all ranks and classes of people. It is the 

bane of partnerships, tlie rock on which the peace of 

families is split, and the signal for strife and contention 

amongst confederates and conquerors. So sung the 

Poet of nature — 

' Friends now fast sworn, 

Whose double bosoms seem but oue heart to bear, 
Who 'twine as 't'were in love inseparable, 
Shall, within this hour, upon dissension of a doit, 
Break out to bitterest enmity.' 

" Yes, upon dissension of a farthing ! With how much 
greater bitterness then must this enmity break out when 
the dissension is for millions, when the parties are 
sovereign communities, their passions inflamed by asso- 
ciation, no common superior to decide between them, 
14 



314 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA, 

and all sense of shame lost in the mass of undistinguish- 
able multitudes ? The last thing that any friend to the 
peace, the harmony, the stability of this Union would 
wish to see, would be an annual scramble on the floor 
of Congress for ten millions of dollars. We shall have 
heart burnings enough in distributing the two or three 
millions of surplus v/hich will remain without these ten 
millions, and in contending for the countless millions of 
the public lands. 

" I am for the abolition, because it will be the means 
of restoring the harmony of this Union, now greatly 
impaired by a tariff* which sits hard upon the navigating 
and planting interests of the country. An abolition of 
ten millions of duties upon the principles stated in this 
resolution, will relieve these interests, without injuring 
any other interests, and thus an angry question will 
drop from our discussions, and a heavy cloud of discon- 
tent will vanish from our political horizon." 

An English barrister once undertook to speak while 
an express went twenty miles to bring back a witness 
whom it w^as necessary to produce upon the trial. Be- 
yond the sea that was deemed quite an exploit, but it 
was nothing to what we often see in this land of wordy 
wars. For instance, take the great debate on Foot's 
resolution in 1829-30. Mr. Benton had at least his 
fourth day in that memorable contest, and mightily did 
he annoy the bravest champions he was called to face. 

On the second dav, Jan. 29, " The Senator from Mis- 
souri," submitted the following remarks which occa- 
sioned a well-known reply. 

" The Senator from Massachusetts, (Mr. Webster,) 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 315 

has since occupied the floor two days, and has taken no 
notice of facts so highly authenticated, drawn from 
sources so wholly unimpeachable, and so pointedly con- 
flicting with the denials and assertions which he has 
made on this floor. It is not for me to account for this 
neglect, or forbearance. Rhetoricians lay down two 
cases in which silence upon the adversaries' arguments 
is the better part of eloquence ; first, where they are too 
insignificant to merit any notice ; secondly, where they 
are too well fortified to be overthrown. In such cases 
it is recommended as the safest course, to pass them by 
without notice, and, as if thev had not been heard. I 
do not intimate which, or if either of these rules 
governed the conduct of the Senator from Massachu- 
setts. I can very w^ell conceive of a third, and very dif- 
ferent reason for this inattention — a reason which was 
seen in the fullness of the occupation which the Senator 
from South Carolina (Gen. Hayne) had given hnn. 
True, the Senator from Massachusetts tells us that he 
felt nothing of all that — that the arrows did not pierce — 
and makes a question whether the arm of the Senator 
from South Carolina was strong enough to spring the 
bov/ ? This he repeated so many times, and with looks 
so well adjusted to the declaration, that we all must have 
been reminded of what we have read in ancient books, 
of the brave gladiator who, receiving the fatal thrust 
which starts the cry of '•' hoc habet" from the whole am- 
phitheatre, instead of displaying his w^ound, and beseech- 
ing pity, collects himself over his centre of gravity, as- 
sumes a graceful attitude, dresses his face in smiles, bows 



316 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

to the ladies, and acts the unhurt hero in the agonies of 
death. 

" But admitting that the arrows did not pierce : What 
then ? Is it proof of the weakness of the arm that sprung 
the bow, or of the impenetrability of the substance that 
resisted the shaft ? We read in many books of the 
polished brass that resists, not only arrows, but the iron- 
headed javelins, thrown by gigantic heroes. But, 
pierced or not pierced, we have all witnessed one thing ; 
we have seen the Senator from Massachusetts occupy 
one whole day in picking these arrows out of his body; 
and to judge from the length and seriousness of this occu- 
pation, he might be supposed to have been stuck as 
full of them as the poor fellow whose transfixed effigy 
on the first leaf of our annual almanacs attracts the 
commiseration of so many children." 

At a subsequent stage of the same speech, Mr. Ben- 
ton referred to most interesting facts, as follows : 

" Let us pause, Mr. President, and reflect for a mo- 
ment, upon the consequences to the West, and to the 
UnioUj if President Jefferson had not seized the oppor- 
tunlt}^ of purchasing Louisiana ; or, having purchased 
it, the Senate or House of Representatives should have 
rejected the acquisition. In the first place, it is to be 
remembered that France, emerging from the vortex of 
her revolution, overflowing with warriors and governed 
by the conqueror, who was catching at the sceptre of 
the world, was then the owner of Louisiana. The First 
Consul had extorted it from the King of Spain in the 
year 1800 ; and the violation of the right of deposite at 
New Orleans, was the first act of ownership over the 



« 



THOMAS K BENTON 317 

new possession, and the first significant intimations to us 
of the new kind of neighbor that we had acquired. Con- 
temporaneously with this act of outrage upon us, was 
the concentration of twenty-five thousand men, under 
the general of division, afterwards Marshal Victor, in 
the ports of Holland, for the mihtary occupation of Louis- 
iana. So far advanced were the preparations for this 
expedition, that the troops were ready to sail ; and com- 
missaries to provide for their reception, were engaged in 
New Orleans and St. Louis, when the transfer of the 
province was announced. Now, sir, put it on either* 
foot : Louisiana remains a French, or becomes a British 
possession. In the first contingency, we must have be- 
come the ally or the enemy of France. The system of 
Bonaparte admitted of no neutrals ; and our alternatives 
would have been, between falling into the train of his 
continental system, or maintaining a war against him 
upon our own soil. We can readily decide, that the 
latter would have been most honorable ; but it is hard 
to say, which would have been most fatal to our pros- 
perity, and most disastrous to our republican institu- 
tions. Li the second contingency, and the almost 
certain one, we should have had England established on 
our western, as well as on our northern frontier ; and I 
may add, our southern frontier also ; for Florida, as the 
property of the ally of France, would have been a fair 
subject of British conquest in the war with France and 
Spain, and a desirable one, after the acquisition of 
Louisiana, and as easily taken as wished for ; the vessel 
that brought home the news of the victory at Trafalgar, 
being sufficient to summon and reduce the places of 



318 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Mobile, Pensacola, St. Marks, and St. Augustine. This 
nation, thus established upon three sides of our territory, 
the most powerful of maritime powers, jealous of our 
commerce, panting for the dominion of the seas, unscru- 
pulous in the use of savage allies, and nine years after- 
wards to be engaged in a war with us ! The results of 
such a position would have been, the loss, for ages and 
centuries, of the navigation of the Mississippi ; the per- 
manent occupation of the Gulf of Mexico by the British 
fleet; the consequent control of the West Indies; and 
the ravage of our frontiers by savages in British pay. 
These would have been the permanent consequences, to 
say nothing of the fate of the late war, commenced with 
our enemy encompassing us on three sides with her 
land forces, and covering the ocean in front with her 
proud navy, victorious over the combined fleets of 
France and Spain, and swelled with the ships of all na- 
tions. From these calamitous results, the acquisition of 
Louisiana delivered us ; and the heart must be little 
turned to gratitude and devotion, which does not adore 
the Providence that made the great man President, who 
seized this gift of fortune, and overthrew the political 
party that would have rejected it." 

On the third day of this famous gladiatorial contest, Mr. 
Benton showed that " there were blows to give as well as 
blows to take." Referring to the sacred and secular 
patriots of the South in colonial and revolutionary times, 
he proceeded to say : 

" Time and my ability would fail in any attempt to 
perform this task; to enumerate the names and acts ot 
those generous friends in the South, who then stood forth 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 319 

our defenders and protectors, and gave us men and mo- 
ney, and beat the domestic foe in the capitol, while we 
beat the foreign foe in the field. Time and my ability- 
would fail to do them justice ; but there is one State in 
the South, the name and praise of which, the events of 
this debate would drag from the stones of the West, if 
they could rise up in this place and speak ! It is the 
name of that State upon which the vials, filled with the 
accumulated wrath of years, have been suddenly and 
unexpectedly emptied before us, on a motion to postpone 
a land debate. That State, whose microscopic offence 
in the obscure parish of Colleton, is to be hung in equi- 
poise with the organized treason and deep damnation of 
the Hartford Convention; that State, whose present 
dislike to a tariff which is tearing out her vitals, is to be 
made the means of exciting the West against the whole 
South ; that State, whose dislike to the tariff laws is to 
be made the pretext for setting up a despotic authority 
in the Supreme Court ; that State, which, in the old 
Congress in 1785, voted for the reduction of the price of 
public lands to about one-half the present minimum ; 
which, in 1786, redeemed after it was lost, and carried 
by its single vote, the first measure that ever was 
adopted for the protection of Kentucky — that of the two 
companies sent to the Falls of Ohio ; that State, which, 
in the period of the late war, sent us a Lowndes, a 
Cheves, and a Calhoun, to fight the battles of the West 
in the Capitol, and to slay the Goliahs in the North ; 
that State which at this day has sent to this chamber, 
the Senator (Gen. Hayne) whose liberal and enlight- 
ened speech on the subject of the pu/blic lands, has been 



320 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

seized upon and made the pretext for that premeditated 
aggression upon South Carolina, and the whole South 
which we have seen met with a promptitude, energy, 
gallantry, and effect, that has forced the assailant to cry 
out an hundred times, that he was still alive, though we 
all could see that he was most cruelly pounded. 

" Memory, Mr. President, is the lowest faculty of the 
human mind — the irrational animals possess it in com- 
mon with man—the poor beasts of the field have mem- 
ory. They can recollect the hand that feeds, and the 
foot that kicks them ; and the instinct of self-preserva- 
tion tells them to follow one and to avoid the other. 
Without any knowledge of Greek or Latin, these mute, 
irrational creatures " fear the Greek offering presents ;" 
they shun the food offered by the hand that has been 
lifted to take their life. This is their instinct; and shall 
man, the possessor of so many noble faculties, with all 
the benefits of learning and experience, have less mem- 
ory, less gratitude, less sensibility to danger, than these 
poor beasts ? And shall he stand less upon his guard, 
when the hand that smote is stretched out to entice ? 
Shall man, bearing the image of his Creator, sink thus 
low ? Shall the generous son of the West fall below his 
own dumb and reasonless cattle, in all the attributes of 
memory, gratitude, and sense of danger ? Shall his 
" Timeo Danaos " have been taught him in vain. Shall 
he forget the things which he saw, and part of which he 
was — the events of the late war — the memorable scenes 
of fifteen years ago ? The events of former times, of 
forty years ago, may be unknown to those who are born 
since. The attempt to surrender the navigation of the 



niOxMAS H. BENTON. 321 

Mississippi ; to prevent the settlement of the West ; the 
refusal to protect the early settlers of Kentucky and 
Tennessee, or to procure for them a cession of Indian 
lands ; all these trials, in which the South was the savior 
of the West, may be unknown to the young generation 
that has come forward since ; and with respect to these 
events, being uninformed, they may be unmindful and 
ungrateful. They did not see them ; and, like the second 
generation of the Israelites, in the land of promise, who 
knew not the wonders which God had done for their 
forefathers in Egypt, they may plead ignorance and go 
astray after strange gods — after the Baals and the Asta- 
roths of the heathen ; but not so of the events of the 
last war. These they saw ! The aid of the South they 
felt ! The deeds of a party in the north-east they felt 
also. Memory will do its office for both ; and base and 
recreant is the son of the West, that can ever turn his 
back upon the friends that saved, to go into the arms of 
the enemy that mocked and scorned him, in the season 
of dire calamity. 

*' I proceed to a different theme. Among the novel- 
ties of this debate, Mr. President, is that part of the 
speech of the Senator from Massachusetts which dwells, 
with such elaboration of argument and ornament, upon 
the love and blessings of union, the hatred and horror of 
disunion. It was a part of the Senator's speech which 
brought into full play the favorite Ciceronian figure of 
amplification. It was up to the rule in that particular. 
But it seemed to me that there was another rule, and a 
higher and a precedent one, which it violated. It was the 
rule of Propriety ; that rule which requires the fitness of 
14* 



322 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

things to be considered ; which requires the time, the 
place, the subject, and the audience to be considered ; 
and condemns the dehvery of the argument, and all its 
flowers, if it fails in congrument to these particulars. I 
thought the essay upon union and disunion had so failed. 
It came to us when we were not prepared for it, when 
there was nothing in the Senate, nor in the country, to 
grace its introduction ; nothing to give, or to receive, 
effect to or from the impassioned scene that we wit- 
nessed. It may be, it was the prophetic cry of the dis- 
tracted daughter of Priam, breaking into the council, 
and alarming its tranquil members with vaticinations of 
the fall of Troy ; but to me, it all sounded like the sud- 
den proclamation for an earthquake, when the sun, the 
earth, the air, announced no such prodigy ; when all 
the elements of nature w^ere at rest, and sweet repose 
pervading the w^orld. There was a time, Mr. President, 
and you, and I, and all of us, did see it, when such a 
speech would have found, in its delivery, every attri- 
bute of a just and rigorous Propriety ! It was at the 
time when the five-striped banner was waving over the 
land of the North ! when the Hartford Convention was 
in session! when the language in the Capitol w^as, 
" Peaceably, if we can ; forcibly, if we must !" when the 
cry, out of doors, was, " the Potomac the boundary ; 
the Negro States by themselves! The Alleghanies 
the boundary, the western savages by themselves ! 
The Mississippi the boundary, let Missouri be gov- 
erned by ^ Prefect,- or given up as a haunt for wild 
beasts!" That time was the fit occasion for this 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 323 

speech ; and if it had been delivered then, either in 
the Hall of Representatives, or in the Den of the Con- 
vention, or in the highway, among the bearers and fol- 
lowers of the five-striped banner, what effect must it not 
have produced ? What terror and consternation among 
the plotters of disunion ! But, here, in this loyal and 
quiet assemblage, in this season of general tranquillity 
and universal allegiance, the whole performance has lost 
its effect for want of affinity, connection, or relation, to 
any subject depending, or sentiment expressed in the 
Senate ; for want of any application, or reference, to 
any event impending in the country." 

On the 2d of Feburary, 1831, Mr. Benton delivered 
his most celebrated speech against the renewal of the 
charter of the Bank of the United States. It is char- 
acterized throughout by severe argument and that copi- 
ousness of statistical information for which this speaker 
is distinguished. The following is the closing portion : 

" I have said that the charter of the Bank of the 
United States cannot be renewed. And in saying this, 
I wish to be considered, not as a needless denunciator, 
supplying the place of argument by empty menace, but 
as a Senator, considering well what he says, after hav- 
ing attentively surveyed his subject. I repeat, then, 
that the charter cannot be renewed ! And, in coming 
to the conclusion of this peremptory opinion, I acknow- 
ledge no necessity to look beyond the walls of this Capi- 
tol, — bright as may he the consolation which rises on 
the vision from the other end of the avenue ! — I confine 
my view to the halls of Congress, and joyfully exclaim, 
it is no longer the year 1816 ! Fifteen years have gone 



124 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

by ; times have changed, and former arguments have 
lost their application. We were then fresh from war, 
loaded with debt, and with all the embarrassments 
which follow in the train of war. We are now settled 
down in peace and tranquillity, with all the blessings 
attendant upon quiet and repose. There is no longer a 
single consideration urged in favor of chartering the 
Bank in 1816, which can have the least weight or ap- 
phcation, in favor of re-chartering it now. This is my 
assertion ! a broad one it may be ; but no less true than 
broad. Let us see! What were the arguments in 
1816? Why, first, 'to pay the public creditors' I an- 
swer this is no longer anything, for before 1836 that 
function will cease ; there will be no more creditors to 
pay. 2. * To transfer the public moneys! That will 
be nothing ; for, after the payment of the public debt, we 
shall have no moneys to transfer. The twelve millions 
of dollars which are now transferred annually to the 
North-East, to pay the public creditors, will then remain 
in the pockets of the people, and the reduced expendi- 
tures of the government will be made where the money 
is collected. The army and the navy, after the ex- 
tinction of the debt, will be the chief objects of expendi- 
ture ; and they will require the money, nearer on the 
frontiers, convenient to the land forces, or on the sea- 
board, convenient to the custom-houses. Thus will 
transfers of revenue become unnecessary. 3. 'To 
make loans to the General Government.' That is noth- 
ing ; for the General Government will want no loans in 
time of peace, not even out of its own deposites ; for 
the prospect of war is rather too distant at -present to 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 325 

make new loans on that account. 4. ' To pay the Pen- 
sioners' That is something, I admit, when the pay- 
ments exceed a million per annum. But what will it 
be after 1836? When the hand of death, and the 
scythe of time, shall have committed five years more 
of ravages in their senile ranks. The mass of these 
heroical monuments are the men of the Revolution. 
They are far advanced upon that allegorical bridge so 
beautifully described in the vision of Mirza. They 
have passed the seventy arches which are sound and 
entire, and are now treading upon the broken ones, 
where the bridge is full of holes, and the clouds and 
darkness setting in. At every step some one stumbles 
and falls through, and is lost in the ocean beneath. In 
a few steps more the last will be gone. Surely it can- 
not be necessary to keep up for twenty years, the vast 
establishment of the Federal Bank to pay the brief sti- 
pends of these fleeting shadows. Their country can 
do it, — can pay the pensions as well as give them — and 
do it for the little time that remains with no other 
regret than that the grateful task is to cease so soon. 
5. ' To regulate the currency.' I answer ; the joint 
resolution of 1816 will do that, and will effect the regu- 
lation without destroying on the one hand, and without 
raising up a new power, above regulation, on the other. 
Besides, there is some mistake in this phrase, currency. 
The word in the Constitution is coin. It is the value 
of coin which Congress is to regulate ; and to include 
bank notes under that term is to assume a power, not 
of construction — for no construction can be wild and 
boundless enough to construe coin, that is to say, me- 



326 LIV NG ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

tallic money melted, cast and stamped — into paper 
notes printed and written — but it is to assume a power 
of life and death over the Constitution ; a power to de- 
throne and murder one of its true and lawful words, 
and to set up a bastard pretender in its place. I invoke 
the spirit of America upon the daring attempt ! 6. ' To 
equalize exchanges, and sell hills of exchange fot^ the 
half of one per cent! This is the broker's argument ; 
very fit and proper to determine a question of broker- 
age ; but very insufficient to determine a question of 
great national policy, of State rights, of constitutional 
difficulty, of grievous taxation, and of public and pri- 
vate subjugation to the beck and nod of a great money- 
ed oligarchy. 7. ' A bonus of a millio7i and a half of 
dollars.' This, Mr. President is Esau's view of the 
subject ; a very seductive view to an improvident 
young man, who is willing to give up the remainder of 
his life to chains and poverty, provided he can be so- 
laced for the present with a momentary and insignifi- 
cant gratification. But what is it to the United 
States? — to the United States of 1836! without a shil- 
ling of debt, and mainly occupied with the reduction of 
taxes ! Still this bonus is the only consideration that 
can now be offered, and surelv it is the last one that 
ought to be accepted. We do not want the money ; 
and, if we did, the recourse to a bonus would be the 
most execrable form in which we could raise it. What 
is a bonus ? Why, in monarchies, it is a price paia to 
the king for the privilege of extorting money out of his 
subjects ; with us, it is a price paid to ourselves for the 
privilege of extorting money out of ourselves. The 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 327 

more of it the worse ; for it has to be paid back to the 
extortioners, with a great interest upon it. It is related 
by the Enghsh historian Clarendon, who cannot be sus- 
pected of overstating any fact, to the prejudice of the 
Stuart kings, that for £ 1,500 advanced to Charles the 
First in bonuses, no less than £200,000 were extorted 
from his subjects : being at the rate of £ 133 taken from 
the subject for £l advanced to the king. What the 
Bank of the United States will have made out of the peo- 
ple of the United States, in twenty years, in return for 
its bonus of $1,500,000, (which, I must repeat, has been 
advanced to us out of our own money,) has been shown 
to be about sixty-six millions of dollars. What it 
would make in the next twenty years, when secure 
possession of the renewed charter should free the insti- 
tution from every restraint, and leave it at full liberty 
to pursue the money, goods and lands of the people in 
every direction, cannot be ascertained. Enough can 
be ascertahied, however, to show that it must be infi- 
nitely beyond what it has been. There are some data 
upon which some partial and imperfect calculations can 
be made, and let us essay them. In the first place, the 
rise of the stock, which cannot be less than that of the 
Bank of England, in its flourishing days, (probably 
more, as all Europe is now seeking investments here,) 
may reach 250 per cent., or 150 above par. This, upon 
a capital of thirty-five millions, would give a profit of 
$42,500,000 : a very pretty sum to be cleared by opera- 
tion of law ! — to be added to the fortunes of some indi- 
viduals, aliens as well as citizens, by the mere passage 
of an act of Congress ! 



328 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

In the next place, the regular dividends, assuming 
them to equal those of the Bank of England in its meri- 
dian, would be ten per cent, per annum. This v^^ould give 
f 3,500,000 for the annual dividend ; and $70,000,000 
for the aggregate of twenty years. In the third place, 
the direct expenses of the Institution, now less than 
$400,000 per annum, would, under the new and mag- 
nificent expansion which the operations of the Bank 
would take, probably exceed half a million per annum ; 
say 810,000,000 for the whole term. Putting these 
three items together, which is as far as data in hand will 
enable us to calculate, and we have 8122,500,000 of 
profits made out of the people, equal to a tax of 86,000,- 
000 per annum. How much more may follow, is 
wholly unascertainable, and would depend upon the 
moderation, the justice, the clemency, the mercy and 
forbearance, of the Supreme Central Directory, who, 
sitting on their tripods, and shaking their tridents over 
the moneyed ocean, are able to raise, and repress, the 
golden waves at pleasure : — who, being chief purchasers 
of real estate, may take in towns and cities, and the 
whole country round, at one fell swoop ; — who, being 
sole lenders of money, may take usury, not only at 46, 
but at 460 per cent. : — who being masters of all other 
banks, and of the Federal Government itself, may compel 
these tributary establishments to ransom their servile 
existences with the heavy, and repeated exactions of 
Algerine cupidity. The gains of such an institution 
defy calculation. There is no example on earth with 
which to compare it. The Bank of England, in its 
proudest days, would afford but an inadequate and imper- 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 329 

feet exemplar; for the power of that Bank was counter 
poised, and its exactions limited, by the wealth of the 
landed aristocracy, and the princely revenues of great 
merchants and private bankers. But with us, there 
would be no counterpoise, no limit, no boundary, to the 
extent of exactions. All would depend upon the will ot 
the Supreme Central Directory. The nearest approach 
to the value of this terrific stock, which my reading has 
suggested, would be found in the history of the famous 
South Sea Company of the last century ; whose shares 
rose in leaps from 100 to 500, and from 500 to 1000 per 
cent.; but, with this immeasurable and lamentable differ- 
ence, that ^//«^ was a bubble! this, a reality! And 
who would be the owners of this imperial stock ? 
Widows and orphans, think you ? as ostentatiously set 
forth in the report of last session ? No, sir ! a few^ great 
capitalists; aliens, denizens, naturalized subjects; and 
some native citizens ; already the richest of the land ; 
and, who would avail themselves of their intelligences, 
and their means, to buy out the small stockholders on the 
eve of the renewal. These would be the owners. And 
where would all this power and money centre ? In the 
great cities to the north-east, which have been for forty 
years, and that by force of federal legislation, the Lion's 
den of southern and western money ; that den into 
w^hich all the tracks point inwards ; from which the 
returning track of a solitary dollar has never yet been 
seen ! And, this is the institution for which a renewed 
existence is sought — for which, the votes of the people's 
representatives are claimed ! But, no ! Impossible ! It 
cannot be! The Bank is done. The arguments of 



330 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

1816 will no longer apply. Times have changed ; and 
the policy of the Republic changes with the times. The 
war made the Bank ; peace will unmake it. The bale- 
ful planet of fire, and blood, and every human woe did 
bring that pestilence upon us; the benignant star of 
peace shall chase it away." 

One of the most instructive of Mr. Benton's speeches 
was that on the Oregon question, delivered in the Senate 
in May, 1846. The following is a fair sample : 

" The value of the country, I mean the Colambian 
River and its valley, (I must repeat the limitation every 
time, lest I be carried up to 54® 40) has been questioned 
on this floor and elsewhere. It has been supposed to be 
of little value, hardly worth the possession, much less 
the acquisition, and treated rather as a burden to be got 
rid of, than as a benefit to be preserved. This is a great 
error, and one that only prevails on this side of the 
water ; the British know better, and if they held the 
tithe of our title they would fight the world for w^hat we 
depreciate. It is not a w'orthless country, but one of 
immense value, and that under many aspects, and will 
be occupied by others, to our injury and annoyance, if 
not by ourselves for our own benefit and protection. 
Forty years ago it was w^ritten by Humboldt that the 
banks of the Columbia presented the only situation on 
the north-west coast of America fit for the residence of 
a civilized people. Experience has confirmed the truth 
of this wase remark. 

It is valuable, both as a country to be inhabited and 
as a position to be held and defended. I speak of it, 
first, as a position, commanding the North Pacific Ocean, 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 331 

and overlooking the eastern coast of Asia. The North 
Pacific is a rich sea, and is already the seat of a great 
commerce; British, French, American, Russian, and 
ships of other nations frequent it. Our whaling ships 
cover it, our ships of war go there to protect our 
interest, and, great as that interest now is, it is only the 
beginning. Futurity will develop an immense and va- 
rious commerce on that sea, of which the far greater 
part will be American. That commerce, neither in 
the merchant ships which carry il on, nor in the 
military marine which protects it, can find a port to 
call its own, within twenty thousand miles of the field 
of its operations. The double length of the two 
Americas has to be run, a stormy and tempestuous cape 
to be doubled, to find itself in a port of its own country, 
while here lies one in the very edge of its field, ours by 
right, ready for use, and ample for every purpose ot 
refuge and repair, protection and domination. Can we 
turn our back upon it? and, in turning the back, 
deliver it up to the British ? Insane and suicidal would 
be the fatal act ! 

To say nothing of the daily want of such a port in 
time of peace, its want in time of war becomes ruinous. 
If we abandon, England will retain ! And her wooden 
walls, bristling with cannon, and issuing from the mouth 
of the Columbia, will give the law to the North Pacific, 
permitting our ships to sneak about in time of peace — 
sinking, seizing, or chasing them away in time of war. 
As a position, then, and if nothing but a rock or desert 
point, the possession of Columbia is invaluable to us ; 
and i^ becomes our duty to maintain it at all hazards. 



332 LIVING ORATORS IN AMER/CA. 

" Agriculturally the value of the country is great ; 
and, to understand it in all its extent, this large country 
should be contemplated under its different divisions — 
the threefold natural geographical divisions under which 
it presents itself: the maritime, the middle, and the 
mountain districts. 

Mr. Benton then proceeds to speak of the agricultural 
nature of the country, under these three natural geogra- 
phical divisions and discovers an intimate acquaintance 
w^ith the nature of the soil, and a familiarity with statisti- 
cal information — which show him to be a master of his 
subject, and which forcibly exhibit his reasons for con- 
sidering " the region, drained by the waters of the 
Columbia as one of the valuable divisions of the North 
American Continent." 

We omit this portion of his speech, and pass to the 
considerations by which he illustrates the commercial 
importance of Oregon. He says: 

"Commercially, the advantages of Oregon will be 
great — far greater than any equal portion of the Atlantic 
States. The eastern Asiatics, who will be their chief 
customers, are more numerous than our customers in 
western Europe, more profitable to trade with, and less 
dangerous to quarrel with. Their articles of commerce 
are richer than those of Europe ; they want what the 
Oregons will have to spare, bread and provisions, and 
have no systems of policy to prevent them from pur- 
chasing these necessaries of life from those who can sup- 
ply them. The sea which washes their shores is every 
way a better sea than the Atlantic ; richer in its whale 
and other fisheries ; in the fur regions which enclose it 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 333 

to the north ; more fortunate in the tranquillity of its 
character, in its freedom from storms, gulf streams and 
icebergs; in its perfect adaptation to steam naviga- 
tion ; in its intermediate or half way islands and its 
myriad of rich islands on its further side ; in its freedom 
from maritime powers on its coasts, except the Ameri- 
can, which is to grow up at the mouth of the Columbia. 
As a people to trade with, as a sea to navigate, the Mon- 
golian race of eastern Asia, and the North Pacific 
Ocean, are far preferable to the European and the At- 
lantic. 

** It would seem that the White race alone received 
the divine command to subdue and replenish the earth! 
for it is the only race that has obeyed it — the only one 
that hunts out new and distant lands, and even a New 
World, to subdue and replenish. Starting from western 
Asia, taking Europe for their field, and the sun for their 
guide, and leaving the Mongolians behind, they ar- 
rived, after many ages, on the shores of the Atlantic, 
which they lit up with the lights of science and reli- 
gion, and adorned with the useful and the elegant arts. 
Three and a half centuries ago, this race, in obedience 
to the great command, arrived in the New World, and 
found new lands to subdue and replenish. For a long 
time it was confined to the border of the new field (1 
now mean the Celtic Anglo-Saxon division) ; and even 
forescore years ago the philosophic Burke was considered 
a rash man because he said the English colonists would 
top the Alleghanies, and descend into the valley of the 
Mississippi, and occupy without parchment, if the Crown 



334 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

refused to make grants of land. What was considered 
a rash declaration eighty years ago, is old history, in 
our young country, at this day. Thirty years ago, I 
said the same thing of the Rocky Mountains and the 
Columbia : it was ridiculed then ; it is becoming history 
to-day. The venerable Mr. Macon has often told me 
that he remembered a line low down in North Carolina, 
fixed by a royal governor as a boundary between the 
Whites and the Indians : where is that boundary now ? 
The van of the Caucasian race now top the Rocky 
Mountains, and spread down to the shores of the Pacific. 
In a few years a great population will grow up there, 
luminous with the accumulated lights of European and 
American civilization. Their presence in such a posi- 
tion cannot be without its influence upon eastern Asia. 
The sun of civilization must shine across the sea: so- 
cially and commercially the van of the Caucasians and 
the rear of the Mongolians must intermix. They must 
talk together, and trade together, and marry together. 
Commerce is a great civilizer, social intercourse as great, 
and marriage greater. The White and Yellow races 
can marry together, as well as eat and trade together. 
Moral and intellectual superiority will do the rest ; the 
White race will take the ascendant, elevating what is 
susceptible of improvement, wearing out what is not. 
The Red race has disappeared from the Atlantic coast : 
the tribes that resisted civilization met extinction. This 
is a cause of lamentation with many. For my part, 1 
cannot murmur at what seems to be the effect of Divine 
law. I cannot repine that this Capitol has replaced the 
wigwam — this Christian people replaced the savages — 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 335 

white mairons the red squaws, and that such men as 
Washington, Franklin, and Jefferson have taken the 
place of Povvhattan, Opechonecanough, and other red 
men, howsoever respectable they may have been as 
savages. Civilization or extinction has been the fate 
of all people who have found themselves in the track of 
the advancing Whites, and civilization, always the pre- 
ference of the Whites, has been pressed as an object 
while extinction has followed as a consequence of its 
resistance. The black and the red races have often 
felt their ameliorating influence. The yellow race, next 
to themselves in the scale of mental and moral excellence, 
and in the beauty of form, once their superiors in the 
useful and elegant arts, and in learning, and still respecta- 
ble though stationary ; this race cannot fail to receive a 
new impulse from the approach of the Whites, improved 
so much since so many ages ago they left the western 
borders of Asia. The apparition of the van of the Cau- 
casian race, rising upon them in the east after having 
left them on the west, and after having completed the 
circumnavigation of the globe, must wake up and re- 
animate the torpid body of old Asia. Our position and 
policy will commend us to their hospitable reception : 
political considerations will aid the action of social and 
commercial influences. Pressed upon by the great 
Powers of Europe — the same that press upon us — they 
must in our approach see the advent of friends, not of 
foes; of benefactors, not of invaders. The moral and 
intellectual superiority of the White race will do the 
rest; and thus, the youngest people, and the newest 



336 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

land, will become the reviver and the regenerator of the 
oldest. 

" It is in this point of view, and as acting upon the 
social, political, and religious condition of Asia, and 
giving a new point of departure to her ancient civiliza- 
tion, that I look upon the settlement of the Columbia 
river by the van of the Caucasian race as the most mo- 
mentous human event in the history of man since liis 
dispersion over the face of the earth." 

It would be easy to multiply a great variety of sam- 
ples from Mr. Benton's speeches, but the above are suffi- 
cient for our purpose, and we have room for no more. 
We proceed to speak more particularly of his character 
as an orator. He is, we think eminently laborious, 
imperious, and democratic in his habits, spirit, and 
style. 

In the first place, Mr. Benton is uncommonly indus- 
trious in preparing for public discussions, and in the 
discharge of professional duties. It has been said of 
Macaulay, that he is one of the great guns of debate, — 
one wiiich it takes a long time to load, and still more to 
bring into position : when fired it makes a great noise, 
hurts some of the enemy, perhaps, and frightens more : 
but the action is always decided before the gun can be 
reloaded. Not so with Benton, since he is ever sup- 
plied with a great amount of ammunition fitted to every 
mode of warfare, and which he can bring into effective 
use in the most sudden and momentous crisis. The 
foregoing specimens exhibit the affluence of his statis- 
tical information, gathered from all reliable sources, and 
fitted to aid the attainment of all practical designs. 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 337 

When it is calm in the Senate, he is busy in the 
archives of the nation, exploring our history and study- 
ing our wants, that whenever a political storm arises 
he may rush to the arena fully equipped and "ready for 
any fate.'' 

It is only by perpetual industry that one can acquire 
adequate resources, and use them with pleasure as well 
as with effect. The less we confine ourselves to limited 
fields and particular models, the more we shall profit by 
universal excellence, and the nearer we shall approxi- 
mate in our habitual execution to the great general 
rules of exalted nature and elaborate art. 

In the second place, all who have heard Mr. Benton 
much, know that he habitually bears an imperious aspect, 
and is not unfrequently betrayed by strong feeling into 
imperious action, in public speech. He carries the con- 
sciousness of high station, and the air of high talent ; a 
portable treasure of confidence, which it is difficult to 
fathom and dangerous to offend. Generally he is busy 
at his desk, with heaps of books and papers all around, 
and with pen in hand, ready to transcribe a precedent, 
note a blunder, or project an argument. But w^hen 
there is no important business going forward, he still 
preserves a magisterial dignity of deportment, throwing 
back his head and forming wath his chin an obtuse angle 
wdth the horizon, as if to repel all familiarity and make 
the most of every moment as it flies. 

Mr. Benton is not one of those who " let I dare not — 

wait upon I would," like the poor cat in the adage. He 

is resolute and daring in debate, sometimes to a reckless 

degree. The manner in which he recently conducted 

15 



338 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

the defence of his son-in-law illustrates what we mean 
by the magisterial element of his nature. It is hard for 
him to endure restraint, and when too much chafed he 
fiercely acts the part of a hero, like Macbeth, who " un- 
seemed a man from the nave to the chaps." Anger, we 
know it has been said, is one of the sinews of the soul : 
he that wants it hath a maimed mind. But there is 
danger that this element may so much prevail as to dis- 
figure its possessor rather than fortify or ennoble him. 
Moderation is the silken string running through the 
pearl- chain of all virtues, without which the orator 
suffers more than any other man, since he can command 
others only so far as he commands himself. 

The utility of high mettle is found in being docile to 
the curb while it needs not the spur. A man must have 
spirit or he cannot hope to have influence. Tamely to 
shrink from a collision with his equals or superiors, will 
inevitably and speedily lead him to sink below himself. 
He who is afraid to express a strong opinion, or to strike 
a hard blow, for fear that the word or the blow may be 
' retaliated, is a mental coward of the most abject type. 
Such persons soon form the base habit of throwing them- 
selves on the forbearance of their antagonists, and find 
impunity in their insignificance. So long as they are 
thus afraid of making enemies they never deserve to 
have true friends and seldom find them. 

In saying that Mr. Benton is laborious as a student, 
and magisterial in attitude and manner as an orator, we 
should particularly observe, thirdly, that he is democratic 
in purpose and humane in spirit. He professes to seek 
the greatest good of the greatest number, and this i» 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 339 

doubtless the source of his most palpable faults and fair- 
est virtues. It is said that he is sometimes too fractious 
for a dignified Senator ; but it is quite probable that his 
energy is that of deep, conscientious conviction, rather 
than ephemeral passion. He is too egotistical, say 
others, not sufficiently remembering, perhaps, that one 
may seem to be most guilty in this respect, when in 
reality he is least blameworthy. The speaker who 
sees a grand principle most clearly, and feels its value 
most acutely, will for this very good reason be most like- 
to say, /assert this or / believe that. This kind of ego- 
tism is infinitely more praiseworthy than the too com- 
mon tu'ism which, with crafty circumlocution, affects a 
modest air in order the more basely to secrete a cow- 
ardly and selfish aim. The orator in question has ever 
been free and independent in his habits of thought and 
action, evidently sincere in hi<^ convictions, and bold, 
but not pertinaciously impertinent, in enforcing them. 
Whatever may be thought of his doctrines, or his mode 
of stating them, it is certain no honest antagonist will 
accuse him of duplicity or servility of spirit. Just as 
the slavery of the body causes the moral sensitiveness 
to languish, so intellectual vassalage enervates the imag- 
ination and deadens the soul. The mind, in its daring 
excursions and fearless expressions, mnst explore the 
realms of thought and fancv with a native and enthusi- 
astic freedom, like Sinbad in the Valley of Diamonds, 
and while thus surrounded by invaluable riches, the ad- 
venturer, at liberty to choose and use for himself, will 
disdain all but the most resplendent gems. 

Mr. Benton has long been an apostle of republican- 



340 LIVING ORATORS IX AMERICA. 

ism, and sometimes his constitutional ardor may have 
hurried him to the very verge of demagogical lury, 
but we are not aware that this has ever been prompted 
by an ambition either to obtain office or increase worldly 
emoluments. For many years he has been accustomed 
to observe the dragon reed of cunning and powerful 
monopolists swarming thick around the masses of their 
country-men to deprive them of lawful rights, 

"And not content the fruits to gather free. 
He lends the crowd his arm to shake the tree." 

In our day the people at lar^ are rapidly growing 
indisposed longer to tolerate great wrongs, whether of 
regal or republican stamp. What is most needed is a 
class of bold, brave, and good leaders, who dare, by 
precept and example, to *'•' speak the truth and do the 
right,'' — patriots who in the most exalted sphere will 
shrink from no browbeatinsj and tvrannical aristocrat, 

" Although his ancient hut ignoble hlood 
Has crept through scoundrels ever since the flood." 

The purest eloquence is always democratic in spirit, 
because it has public utility for its aim, and human hap- 
piness for its inspiration. It always leads, and mainly 
sustains the orreat contention of the rnanv against the 
few, for the recovery of their rights and the assertion of 
their interests. True eloquence is essentially demo- 
cratical, since it deals with the universal, appeals to the 
common heart of man, and labors to promote the wel- 
fare of all mankind. Its chief ingredients are feeling, 



THCMAS H. BENTON. 341 

thought, and passion, and not external rank, glitter, or 
station. It is not a power only, but beneficent goodness 
also. The finest display's of moral grandeur, — such as 
those which portray Prometheus, blessing the human 
race and defying the thunder of Jove, even when 
chained to the barren rock, with the vulture gnashing 
at his heart, — are but the principles w^hich in every age 
have animated the heroes who have struck for freedom, 
braving the dungeon, the stake, and the scaflJbld, in their 
devotion to liberty, and their determination to emanci- 
pate themselves and their fellow- creatures from every 
iniquitous bond. The noblest times of free government 
have ever been the grandest eras of oratorical develop- 
ment. " Thus it triumphed in ancient Greece; its revi- 
val in modern days was when mind first broke loose 
from the superstition of ages, heaved off the authority 
of the church and the schools, and entwined itself with 
the feeling and the tendencies of human life. It ever 
has an aflinity, not with the few in their distinctions, 
but with the many in their common properties, passions, 
fears, sorrows, rejoicings, and triumphs. It invites man, 
as it were, to a great feast, of w^hich nature is the pro- 
vision in all its diversity — for eloquence, like poetry, is 
the reflection of nature in the human soul ; and there it 
oflfers him, not unsubstantial fare in gilded dishes, but 
angels' food, and nectar of the gods. Imagination is the 
truth-seeing and beauty-seeing power ; it is that w^hich 
appreciates sublimity and loveliness, whether physical 
or moral ; and by it man grows up into like order and 
harmony, and in similar loveliness ; he aspires towards 



342 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

an affinity of grandeur, and realizes the purposes of his 
own existence in this majestic world." 

Every orator really inspired, and who moulds his pub- 
lic life according to the promptings of his better nature, 
will instinctively plead the native rights of the many 
rather than prostitute his talents to promote the unna- 
tural immunities of the few. It is not uncommon that 
we see even the veteran in partisan warfare, if really 
well endowed, yield to the nobler promptings of his soul, 
and breathe a magnanimous strain which at once sur- 
prises and delights both friends and foes. We may re- 
gard such a man as in the position of the old prophet 
Balaam; when he intends to curse democracy, he is 
obliged, from the power of truth within him, to bless it. 
He is like the soothsayer, sent for from a far country — 
the seven altars erected for sacrifice — the incense rising 
in clouds ; but when the inspiration comes, instead of 
malediction upon the people, he begins : — " How goodly 
are thy tents, O Jacob ! and thy tabernacles, O Israel !" 

We live in an age which demands the services ol 
men as industrious, resolute, and magnanimous as Mr. 
Benton, or any other public functionary can be. We 
need master-spirits in every exalted sphere, whose dig- 
nity is inherent and not assumed, a natural nobility of 
soul which commands spontaneous reverence ; and not 
that pompous and arrogant grandeur as vulgar as it is 
mean, the incarnation of insolence and utterly unwor- 
thy of respect. What the great commonality wants is 
moral force, soul, manliness. These qualities, united 
with sound judgment and fertile imagination, contribute 
perpetual delight and admiration to the uneducated, 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 343 

as well as to the most highly cultivated minds. The 
multitude prefers rugged naturalness in an inferior order 
of eloquence, to feebleness and insipidity in the highest. 
Even manifest defects become a man, when they 
are of natural growth, and the bold elements of an 
original character. Of this truth we have a striking in- 
stance in Mirabeau. 

We are to bear in mind, however, that the most 
mighty champions have ever been the gentlest. The 
greatest geniuses on earth, in all their grandest and most 
beautiful conceptions, never overstep the modesty of 
nature, however wild their fancy, or fervid their feelings. 
Dignified and effective passion never expresses itself in 
violence and grimace. 

All extraordinary excellence is produced not by any 
one quality, but by the combined influence of many; it 
is not exclusive sublimity of conception, the most acute 
discrimination of character, the widest sphere of com- 
prehension, the most judicious and elaborate composi- 
tion, nor the greatest pungency of expression : it is 
rather the union and simultaneous action of all these 
kindred powers. Energy of conception, and refinement 
of taste are the leading elements, so that grace of exe- 
cution and perfection of finish go hand in hand ; but the 
result when complete is many-sided, comprising diver- 
sified elements, each one admirable in itself The ele- 
gance and truth of the details equal the intrinsic worth 
and symmetrical grandeur of the whole. 

How much of this excellence Mr. Benton possesses, 
we leave the reader to infer from the specimens adduced 
above, and the traits portrayed. That he may be much 



344 LITI\G ORATORS IX AMERICA. 

more fully prepared to form a just conception of the pri- 
Tate worth, as well as public usefulness of the distin- 
guished subject of our own very imperfect sketch, we 
subjoin the following conclusion of the biographical no- 
tice with which we began : 

" In all the domestic relations of life, Col. Benton is a 
remarkably exemplary man ; he is highly fortunate and 
happy in his family. He mixes little in general society, 
being but rarely tempted by any of its attractions from 
his own fireside, his family, studies, and the public busi- 
ness to which his zealous attention is unremittinsr. In 
person he is large, robust, of florid complexion, and 
powerful frame, capable of enduring fatigue, both men- 
tal and physical, under which but few other men could 
bear up. His reputation has been frequently assailed, 
with reference to his early youth, with slanders utterly 
false and base, of which he has never condescended to 
take the slightest notice — imitating, in this self-confident 
scorn of such unworthy assailants, the example of the 
great founder of his political school, Jefferson. 

" One remarkable trait of his public life deserving: oi 
notice, is the elevation of his ambition above the attrac- 
tions of office. No one can doubt that during the late 
administration, his wish could have readily commanded 
from Gen. Jackson — to whom he rendered a support, 
made, by their peculiar personal relation, so honorable to 
both — almost anv such Gratification within the mft of the 
latter. He has always, however, preferred to any other 
the seat which he has so long occupied in the Senate of 
the United States, as the post (during all that time) of 



THOMAS H. BENTON. 345 

the highest usefulness to the cause of his principles, and 
therefore of the hiorhest honor. 

" In the style of his oratory, Col. Benton is forcible 
and very effective in the powerful struggle of debate. 
His manner is rhetorical, and he is at times too diffuse. 
He is often singularly happy in his metaphorical illus- 
trations, in which he is very abundant, though he is 
sometimes hurried, in the flow^ of his language, into 
metaphors, which once entangled in them, it is not easy 
to manage very gi'acefully. A progressive improve- 
ment in his oratory has, however, been very evident 
within the last few years, his taste being purified 
from some bad habits of style, by which it was for- 
merly disfigured. He may be said literally, according 
to the well-known maxim of Cicero, to have made 
himself an orator, having had to struggle against the 
apparently natural disadvantages of an incorrect and 
false taste. We have heard the remark made by one 
of his friends, that his best speech will not be delivered 
for ten years yet to come, and that he will have attained 
the age at which Cicero achieved his highest triumph, 
before he will have brought out all the capacity of elo- 
quence within him. He is laborious in preparation of 
his materials, as he is usually luminous and forcible in 
their arrangement and use. Some of his best efforts 
have, however, been entirely extemporaneous. He 
has that faculty indispensable to greatness, a strong 
memory ; and his extensive reading, and particularly 
his familiaritv with all ancient and modern history, 
often supplies him with happy and striking illustrations 
of his positions. But his great strength consists in the 
15* 



346 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

sincere force of his own convictions ; in his unhesitating 
confidence in the eventual support of his opinions by 
the verdict of the public judgment ; in the firmness and 
earnestness of his own will ; in the accumulation of 
facts which he brings to bear upon his subject, driving 
his nail home with repeated blows of a hammer that 
tells whenever it strikes. He is not generally esteemed 
a pleasing speaker, we believe, by the frequenters of the 
Senate galleries ; but in that body itself he often carries 
great weight, and there can be no doubt that his 
speeches within the last six or eight years have told 
with a more abiding effect on the mind of the country 
at large than those of any other individual." 



CHAPTEJEl VIII. 

WILLIAM C. PRESTON, 

T.HE INSPIRED DECLAIMER. 

We love good speaking, and will make almost any 
sacrifice to enjoy the best. Ten years ago, we per- 
formed a long and expensive journey to Washington, on 
purpose to hear the lions roar. At that time, what an 
array of talent there was in Congress! The morning 
after our arrival, we hurried to the Capitol, glanced at 
the works of art and the elegant grounds, waiting for 
the doors to open, when we immediately ensconced 
ourself in the Senate gallery. The dignitaries soon be- 
gan to drop into their seats. Some of them we had 
seen elsewhere, and the most w^ere recognized at once, 
from prints or verbal descriptions. But there was one 
in particular whom we were anxious to see and hear. 
Newspaper accounts of his matter and manner had ex- 
cited the hveliest curiosity, and we had come a weary 
way to seek its gratification 

" Pray, sir," said we to a reporter, " which is Mr. 
Preston ?" 

" That's him," was the reply, pointing to a somewhat 
large and decidedly heavy-looking personage, with brown 



348 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

coat and a little switch cane, round-shouldered, yellow- 
ish wig, and florid complexion, trudging about with 
good-natured greetings to all in a kind of whining tone 
and careless air, everywhere met with smiles, and with 
everybody cracking a joke. This was a poser, indeed. 
We were looking for a prim, scholastic dignitary, with 
a most refined aspect and reserved manner, stooping to 
small talk only in selectest circles, and then always in 
ore rotundo style. 

Business began at length, and it was worse still. This 
great orator of South Carolina, of whom our friend 
James C. Brooks had written so vividly, arose to second 
a resolution. He stood in a most unclassical position, 
bending forward, with his hands resting on two desks 
beneath him, his face expressionless, and his whole de- 
livery as devoid of our preconceived notions as it could 
possibly be. Had he not more than once responded to 
the call of his name, we should have doubted his iden- 
tity. 

But, wait a bit. An expected debate was postponed, 
and a bill came up suddenly for final action, in which 
Mr. Preston was a good deal interested. It was a criti- 
cal moment for the measure involved, and he rose again 
to speak. How different! Not three minutes had 
passed before we saw a new man there. He insensibly 
assumed an erect position, as elastic as it was command- 
ing ; his countenance changed its aspect as palpably as 
the landscape is changed by the sun bursting through 
sombre clouds ; his muscles rounded out in a fuller and 
fairer symmetry ; and the veins of his forehead swelled 
with the heated currents of almost preternatural energy ; 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 349 

his voice was suddenly changed into deep and mellow 
tones, with now and then a slight trembling that indi- 
cated intense emotion ; those short, significant sentences, 
so peculiar to his higher efforts, shot out in every direc- 
tion Uke hissing bolts ; every eye and ear of a rapidly 
gathered throng seemed entranced before the speaker as 
he fulmined like one truly inspired. 

Since that day of unexpected disappointment and 
unequalled gratification, we have heard a great deal of 
debating in Washington, London, and Paris, but have 
never met a second William C. Preston. There 
may be others who are sounder logicians, more finical 
rhetoricians, shrewder politicians, or abstruser meta- 
physicians ; but wiiere is a competitor, who can excel 
* him in lucid, fiery, and captivating declamation ? 

It is not our purpose, in the present instance, to en- 
cumber ourselves with biographical details. We have 
more genial matter in hand, and shall proceed at once 
to select several examples of our orator's composition, 
preparatory to an analysis of his peculiarly pungent elo- 
quence. We begin with extracts from the speech de- 
livered by Mr. Preston in the Senate, March 1, 1836 
on the Abolition question : 

"Mr. President: I deeply regret the course which 
this discussion has taken. I have remarked its progress 
with much pain, with a feeling of anxiety and depres- 
sion, which I find great difficulty in expressing. It has 
been mixed up with all those small topics of party and 
personal bitterness which, whether properly or not, 
enter so largely into the ordinary debates of the Senate, 
but which are altogether misplaced, and dangerous 



350 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

when connected with the consideration of those deep 
and vital interests involved in any discussion of the 
institution of slavery. It is very desirable, as has been 
well suggested by the Senator from Massachusetts, that, 
if we must deliberate on this subject, we do so with all 
the calmness possible, and with a deliberate and com- 
bined effort to do what is best under the perilous cir- 
cumstances which surround us, uninfluenced by the 
paltry purposes of party. In whatever temper you may 
come to it, the discussion is full of danger. The fact 
that you are deliberating on this subject of slavery, 
inspires my mind with the most solemn thoughts. No ^ 
matter how it comes before you ; no matter whether the 
question be prelimin-ary or collateral, you have no juris- 
diction of it in any of its aspects. These doors should 
be closed against it ; for you have no right to draw into 
question here an institution guaranteed by the Constitu- 
tion, and on which, in fact, the right of twenty-two 
Senators to a seat in this body is founded — and, em- 
phatically, you have no right to assail, or to permit to 
be assailed, the domestic relations of a particular section 
of the country, which you are incapable of appreciating 
— of which you are necessarily ignorant — which the 
Constitution puts beyond your reach, and which a fair 
courtesy, it would seem, should exempt from your dis- 
cussion. It exacts some patience in a southern man, to 
sit here and listen, day after day, to enumerations of the 
demoralizing effects of his household arrangements con- 
sidered in the alstract — to hear his condition of life 
lamented over, and to see the coolness with which it is 
proposed to admit petitioners who assail, and vilify, and 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 351 

pity him, on the ground that it would hurt their feehngs 
[{we do not Ksten to them. We sit here and hear all 
this, and more than this. We hear ourselves accused 
of being agitators, because we ask the question, is it the 
pleasure of the Senate to hear those who thus assail us? 
As yet, Mr. President, the incendiaries are but at your 
door, demanding admittance, and it is yet within your 
power to say to them, that they shall not throw their burn- 
ing brands upon this floor, or propagate the conflagration 
through this Government. Before you lend yourself to 
their unhallowed purposes, I wish to say a word or two 
upon the actual condition of the Abolition question ; for 
I greatly fear, from what has transpired here, that it is 
very insufficiently understood ; and that the danger of 
the emergency is by no means estimated as it ought to 
be. God forbid that I should permit any matter of tem- 
porary interest or passion to enter into what I am about 
to tell you of the real dangers which environ us. My 
State has been assailed. Be it so. My peculiar principles 
have been denounced. I submit to it. Sarcasms, intended 
to be bitter, have been uttered against us. Let them pass. 
I will not permit myself to be disturbed by these things, 
or, by retorting them, throw any suspicion on the tem- 
per in which I solemnly warn both sections of this 
Union of the impending dangers, and exhort this Senate 
to do whatever becomes its wisdom and patriotism under 
the circumstances. Let us not shut our eyes, sir, on our 
condition. Some gentlemen have intimated that there 
is a purpose to get up a panic. No, no, sir. I have no 
such purpose. A panic on this subject is a disaster, 
The stake is too great to play for under a panic. In 



352 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

the presence of so much danger as I solemnly Delieve 
exists, I would rather steady every mind to the coldest 
contemplation of it, than endeavor to excite my own, or 
the feelings of others, by adventitious stimulants. If I 
over-estimate the magnitude of the dangers which 
threaten us, it is in spite of myself, against my wishes, 
and after the most deliberate consideration. 

" Look round, then, sir, on the circumstances under 
which these numerous and daily increasing petitions are 
sent to us. They do not come, as heretofore, singly, 
and far apart, from the quiet routine of the Society of 
Friends, or the obscure vanity of some philanthropic 
club ; but they are sent to us in vast numbers, from 
soured and agitated communities, poured in upon us 
from the overflowing of public sentiment, which every- 
where, in all Western Europe and Eastern America, has 
been lashed into excitement on this subject. Whoever 
has looked at the actual condition of society, must have 
perceived that the public mind is not in its accustomed 
state of repose, but active, and stirred up, and agitated 
beyond all former example. The bosom of society 
heaves with new and violent emotions. The general 
pulse beats stronger and quicker than at any period 
since the access of the French Revolution. Public 
opinion labors, Hke the priestess on her tripod, with the 
prophecy of great events. In Germany, in France, and 
in England, there is a great movement party organized 
upon the spirit of the times, whose tendency is to over- 
turn established institutions, and remodel the organic 
forms of society, for whose purposes the process of ex- 
periment is too slow, and the action of reason too 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON 353 

cold ; whose infuriated philanthropy goeth about seeking 
whom it may devour. To these ethical or political en- 
thusiasts the remote and unsustained institution of sla- 
very offers at once a cheap and fruitful subject. Ac- 
cordingly, it is known that the doctrinaire and juste 
milieu party of France, and its leadiijg paper, the Jour- 
nal des Debats, conducted with much ability, is devoted 
to the purposes of abolitionism. The Due de Broglie, 
Prime Minister of France, with St. Domingo before his 
eyes, is president of an abolition society, having in view 
the manumission of the slaves in the French West Indies 
But the state of feeling in England has a much more 
direct influence upon us, and is therefore of more import- 



ant investigation." 



Mr. Preston then proceeds to speak of the state of 
the public mind in England, in relation to the slave 
question — of the act of emancipation by the British Par- 
liament of the West India slaves, which he traces to 
the individual efforts of Wilberforce and Clarkson, — and 
remarks on the morbid sensibility everywhere prevalent 
in relation to the African race — a sensibility pervading 
the literature, politics, and whole organization of society, 
and shows, from the intimate sympathies existing be- 
tween England and America, how great an influence 
must be excited on public opinion in this country, and 
hence warns the Senate of the result. 

Passing over this and other portions of this speech, 
we come to the close which we give entire. Let the 
reader conceive, if he can, the perpetual corruscation of 
flashing bolts with which it fell from the impassioned 
orator. 



354 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

• " The honorable Senator, (Mr. Prentiss) with his 
characteristic earnestness, and with the weight commu- 
nicated to everything he says, by the high estimate of his 
worth and abiUty, and the known gravity of his mode 
of thinking, has informed us that amongst these peti- 
tioners are men of as much worth and patriotism as are 
to be found anywhere ; and the honorable gentleman 
himself vindicates the petitioners by the authority of his 
co-operation, when he declares here in his place that 
Congress is constitutionally endowed with the power of 
manumitting the slaves in this District, and that it is ex- 
pedient to exercise this powder. But a short time since 
the Legislature of the State which the gentleman repre- 
sents passed resolutions that the matter of slavery ought 
not to be agitated. Now, the Senator things it expedi- 
ent to act. His colleague, too, assures us that the pro- 
gress of the agitation in Vermont is greatly accelerated; 
that seven societies have been recently organized in one 
county; and that he hears of societies springing up in 
quarters, remote neighborhoods, where he had supposed 
that abolition had scarcely been heard of. Is there no- 
thing in these facts ? 

" Five hundred societies are now organized, and in 
active operation, and daily increasing in numbers. Is 
there nothing in this? In these wide-«pread associa- 
tions are there none but the weak and base, a noisy and 
impotent rabble, which will fret itself into exhaustion ? 
Or are they composed, as all such popular movements 
are, of a mixed multitude of all those whom wild enthu- 
siasm, mistaken piety, perverted benevolence, and blind 
zeal, hurry and crowd together, to swell the torrent of 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 355 

public enthusiasm, when it sets strongly towards a fa- 
vorite object ? However humbly I may think of the 
wisdom of these people, I do place a high estimate upon 
their zeal and enterprise. We have seen what these 
qualities effected in England on this subject, and they 
are not less efficacious here. There is at this moment 
in New York an association of twenty -five men of wealth 
and high standing, who, with a spirit worthy of a better 
cause, have bound themselves to contribute 840,000 a 
year to the propagation of abolition doctrines through 
the press. Five of these pay 820,000 a year, and one 
8,1000 a month. Such is the spirit, and such the means 
to sustain it. 

" Again, I demand, sir, do these things indicate no- 
thing ? The press is subsidized — societies for mutual 
inflammation are formed — men, women, and children, 
join in the petitions — rostrums are erected — itinerant 
lecturers pervade the land, preaching up to nightly 
crowds a crusade against slavery. The pulpit resounds 
with denunciations of the sin of slavery, and infuriate 
zealots unfurl the banner of the cross — the standard to 
which the abolitionist is to rally. The cause of anti- 
slavery is made identical with religion, and men and 
women are exhorted, by all that they esteem holy, by all 
the high and exciting obligations of duty to man and to 
God, by all that can warm the heart or inflame the ima- 
gination, to join in the pious work of purging the sin of 
slavery from the land. Gentlemen have told us of the 
array of the reverend clergy on these petitions. In- 
fatuated and deluded men ! In the name of charity, 
they lay a scene of blood and massacre ; in the bias- 



356 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

phemed name of the religion of peace, they promote a 
civil and servile v^^ar ; they invoke Liberty to prostrate 
the only Government established for its preservation. 
But what voice can penetrate the deafness of fanaticism ? 
It neither hears, nor sees, nor reasons, but feels, and 
burns, and acts with a maniac force. 

" Nor are the all-exciting topics of religion the only 
sources from which this turbid and impetuous stream is 
swollen. All the sympathies of the American heart for 
liberty, (the word itself has a magic in it,) achieved 
through war and revolution, are perverted into it. 
When the war-cry is 'God and Liberty' — when it is 
thundered from the pulpit, and re-echoed from the press, 
and caught up and shouted forth by hundreds of socie- 
ties, until the whole land rings with it, shall we alone not 
hear it, or, hearing it, lay the flattering unction to our 
souls that it portends nothing ? Be not deceived, I en- 
treat, gentlemen, in regard to the power of the causes 
which are operating upon the population of the non- 
slaveholding States. The public mind in those States 
has long been prepared for the most favorable reception 
of the influences now brought to bear upon it. It has 
been lying fallow for the seed which is now sown broad- 
cast. A deep anti-slavery feeling has always existed in 
the Northern and Middle States ; it is inscribed upon 
their statute books. Each, in succession, impelled by 
this feeling, has abolished slavery within its own juris- 
diction ; and what has been effected there, without as 
yet any fatal consequences, unreflecting ignorance will 
readily suppose may be effected everywhere under all 
circumstances. The spirit of propagandism is in pro- 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 357 

portion to the distance of the object, and the ignorance 
of the propagandist. Of the whole population of those 
States, ninety-nine hundredths regard the institution 
with decided disapprobation, and scarcely a less propor- 
tion entertain some vague desire that it should be 
abolished, in some way, at some time, and believe that 
the time will come, and the mode be devised. Thev 
believe that slavery is bad in the abstract, and not in- 
curable as it exists. The remoteness of it from them- 
selves makes them at once more ignorant of its actual 
condition, and bolder in suggesting remedies. It is to 
such a temper of mind that the inflammatory appeals I 
have spoken of are addressed. 

" But there is still another element of power, scarcely 
less than either of those I have adverted to, which the 
incendiaries will not be slow to avail themselves of. 
Cast your eyes, sir, over the States where they have 
already gained foothold, and mark the eagerness and 
equality with which two great political parties are 
struggling for ascendency. Animated by the utmost 
intenseness of party spirit, and in the very height of a 
contest of life and death, they will be willing to snatch 
such arms as fury may supply, and avail themselves of 
such auxiliaries as chance may offer. A third party, 
even were it less numerous than the abolitionists, occu- 
pying for a time a neutral position, will of course be 
able to decide the controversy. Each party will dread 
its accession to the other, and each may, perhaps in 
turn, court its influence. Thus its consequence is 
enhanced, and, deriving strength from position, it ac- 
quires a new principle of augmentation, until it becomes 



358 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

sufficientl}^ powerful to absorb one or the other of the 
contending parties, and become itself the principal in 
the controversy. Then are added party spirit, political 
ambition, local interests ; and, with all this aggregation 
of strength and power, -think you, sir, that abolitionism, 
at your next session, will pause at your door, waiting to 
see if it be your pleasure to ask it in ? Even now, sir, 
candidates for popular favor begin to feel the influence 
of this new power. The very fact of the reluctance 
which we all feel to agitate this matter here, bespeaks 
our fears of exasperating the strength which we instinc- 
tively know resides in the abolitionists. Gentlemen say 
we must tread softly, lest we wake the giant ; we must 
not breathe upon the spark, lest it burst into a blaze ; we 
must bow down before the coming storm until it blows 
over, for fear that it will prostrate us if we stand up: 
and while the policy of such a course is urged, we are 
told there is no danger. 

" No gentleman will suppose that I take pleasure in 
indicating the cause of growth, or the present strength 
of the abolitionists, or would willingly exaggerate them. 
It is not, I confess, without the deepest apprehensions 
that I contemplate them ; but my chief fears arise from 
the supineness with which they are regarded here, on 
both sides of the House. We repose in a false and 
fatal security. I am amazed and dismayed at the view 
which mv friends have taken of these matters. I know 
well that their interest is identical with mine. I know 
their honor and candor: and most willindv would I 
indulge in their soothing hopes, if the deepest sense of 
the most imperious duty did not exact of me to call 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 359 

upon them to awake to a sense of the danger, and be 
prepared to meet it with a thorough comprehension of 
its import ; and as a member of the Senate of the 
United States, I warn and exhort gentlemen to take 
early and decided counsel as to what is fit to be done. 
The occasion concerns us all, not perhaps in an equal 
degree, but it deeply concerns all who feel, as I do, a 
profound veneration for the Constitution, and an ardent 
love for the Union. I conjure the Senators from the 
non-slaveholding States to approach this subject with a 
steady regard and unfaltering step ; to come to the task 
at once, before it is too late ; to interpose all the au- 
thority of this Government between the incendiaries 
and their fatal purposes; and to pledge the moral 
weight of their individual characters against it. 

" I heartily approve the sentiments which have been 
generally avowed in the Senate, and appreciate the pa- 
triotic feelings which gentlemen have expressed in 
regard to the abolitionists. I have read with unfeigned 
pleasure, the wise communication of the Governor of 
New York to -his Legislature, and am gratified to be- 
lieve that there is a mass of intelligence and worth in 
that great State, as well as in others of the Northern 
and Middle States, which deeply disapproves these pro- 
ceedings. But what I fear is, that neither here nor 
elsewhere is there a sufficient perception of the immi- 
nence of the danger, or the potency and permanency of 
those causes which create it. Even honorable gentle- 
men from the South, who have all at stake ; around 
whose hearths, and in whose bed-chambers, the cry of 
thousands is invoking murder, in the name of God and 



360 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

liberty — with the example of Jamaica and St. Domingo 
before them, even they are not sufficiently aroused to 
the emergency. I entreat them to awake : I invoke 
gentlemen from all quarters, of all parties, to unite at 
once, to combine here, in the adoption of the strongest 
measures of which this Government is capable, and thus 
to enter into mutual pledges to oppose, by all possible 
means, and to the last extremity, the destructive and 
exterminating doctrines of these terrible incendiaries. 
Signalize your opposition by the most decided action. 
Stamp their nefarious propositions with unqualified 
reprobation. Throw the whole authority of this Gov- 
ernment against them. Pledge the authority of each 
Senator in his own State. Say to the abolitionists that 
this Government will in no event be made an instru- 
ment in 3"our hands. Say to the South that this pes- 
tilential stream shall not be poured upon you through 
these halls. Give us the strongest measures. If you 
cannot adopt the proposition of my colleague, let us 
know what you can do. The matters before us are of 
the deepest consequence, and it may, perhaps, not be 
within the competence of this Government to effect an 
entire remedy of the evil. Something, however, can be 
done ; you may, at least, save yourselves from becoming 
either passively or actively accessory to the result. 
Erect yourselves into a barrier between the opposing 
sections. Save the Union if you can. 

" If things go much farther, you may find this no easy 
matter. Recent experience has, thank God, demon- 
strated that this Government is not strong enough to 
produce disunion. Will it be strong enough to prevent 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. JjQl 

it it proceedings go on, which inevitably make two peo- 
ple of us, warring on a question which, on the one side, 
involves existence, and on the other, arrays all the fury 
of fanaticism? Think you, sir, that, if you have not 
the spirit or power to trample out the brand that is 
thrown amongst us, you can yet bring help when the 
whole land is wrapped in conflagration ? If, however, 
in your judgment it is not competent or expedient to 
act decisively, tell us so. Let us know what you can 
or will do, and we will consider it, and bring to the 
consideration of it a candid and conciliatory temper, 
anxious to find safety for the Constitution in your mea- 
sures. Our own safety is in our own keeping. I will 
not more than allude to it for fear of misconstruction ; 
but while with the most painful emotions I have ad- 
verted to the dangers of our situation, while with the 
most profound solicitude I entreat the Senate to guard 
against them, I know that the South has the power and 
the will to vindicate its rights and protect itself Even 
if it were destitute of the high spirit which characterizes 
it, if it were without the resources which abound there, 
it would be forced into a position of self-defence by the 
inexorable necessities of self-preservation. The South 
has drawn deep lessons of instruction from the colonial 
history of France and England. St. Domingo and 
Jamaica were colonies subject to the dominion of a for- 
eign power, and perished because they were colonies. 
Their disastrous history is not recorded in vain. I will 
not pursue this topic. I am here a member of the 
Senate of the United States, impressed with a sense of 
my federal duties, and in discharge of them, have felt 
IG 



362 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

myself compelled to state my conception of the perilous 
circumstances in which we are, because I fear there is 
a fatal misconception in regard to them. It is possible, 
sir, that I may have conceived them too strongly. I 
wish it may turn out so. It is erring on the safe side 
to magnify the strength of the enemy, if you intend to 
encounter him with fortitude and just preparation. 
Many friends near me see nothing on the horizon but a 
floating cloud, which the summer breeze will drive 
away. I see, or think I see, the gathering of a tempest 
surcharged with all the elements of devastation. If 
they be right, it is happy for us all ; but if they be 
wrong, and I right, and the blessed moments of pre- 
paration are thrown away until the storm bursts, they 
incur an awful responsibility." 

The happy versatility of which Mr. Preston is capa- 
ble in public speech, is indicated by the following extract 
from the account given of the famous Whig Conven- 
tion, held in Baltimore on the first week of May, 1840 : 

" The Hon. Wm. C. Preston, the eloquent and dis- 
tinguished Senator from South Carolina, next responded 
to the call of the Convention. * This,' said he, ' is 
the happiest day of my life. I see here the consumma- 
tion of almost all that I had hoped for from the earliest 
day I entered public life. I hate tyranny, and from my 
infancy was taught to despise a Tory. I was born a 
Whig, and am yet a Whig. The Whigs have met here,' 
continued Mr. Preston, ' to bring peace and prosperity 
to the land, and I take pleasure in expressing the belief 
that the man of their choice will maintain and consoK- 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 3(53 

date the great national institutions and enterprises of 
the country.' Continuing his remarks, 

"Mr. Preston alluded to the self-denying, magnanimous, 
and patriotic conduct of Henry Clay. The eulogium 
was the most eloquent we have heard, and the audience 
heard it with interest and delight. Returning to Gen- 
eral Harrison, he said, * I will devote to him my labor, my 
thoughts, my person, and my purse. I regard the Ohio 
farmer as a true and devoted patriot, and I would the 
news of this day's meeting could be borne to him upon 
the wings of the wind.' 

"Mr. Preston, in concluding his remarks, said, he 
was a Southern man, and happily in connection with 
this subject did he allude to the recent demonstration of 
opinion from the 'Old Dominion.' Harrison, too, he 
was proud to say, was a Virginian born, and a son of 
a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He 
sprung, too, from the best of the Anglo-Saxon blood. 
He was a descendant of that Harrison who, in the reign 
of the tyrant Charles, said that, * as he was a tyrant, I 
slew him.' Who, said Mr. Preston, can boast of better 
blood in his veins than this descendant of the king-de- 
stroying, despot-killing, tyrant-hating Harrison ? 

" Mr. Preston, in a manner peculiar to himself, after 
exhorting the Whigs to use their anticipated triumph as 
not abusing it, left the grave a moment for the gay. 
Alas, poor Democrats, farewell, dear Loco Focos ! you 
have had your day. Every dog has his day! It is 
necessary, Mr. Van Buren, that you should go for dimin- 
ished wages, and the country says you shall go for 
diminished wages ! Again, Mr. Preston drew a happy 



3G4 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

picture of the 4th of March, 1841. He supposed that 
prince of Democrats, Martin Van Buren, to be here in 
his coach and four horses. Following him comes Amos 
Kendall, and succeeding him, Levi Woodbury with 
his empty bags, and still behind these worthies the 
head of the war department, Mr. Poinsett, the author of 
the system for two hundred thousand militia, and thirty- 
four bloodhounds. I see them now, said Mr. Preston, 
in my mind's eye. They come from Washington — are 
seen at Fell's Point, — now at Canton — and some one 
says to the party there is the race course where met the 
National Convention in May last. 

"Again, Mr. Preston changed his manner, and in a 
burst of eloquence which electrified his hearers, ex- 
horted them to go into the possession of the adminis- 
tration of the public affairs with clean hands and honest 
hearts ; and first of all to proscribe the system of pro- 
scription which had dishonored the country. Let us 
wash the ermine and purify the seats of government. 
Mr. Preston also made a happy allusion to Cincinnatus 
the ploughman, citizen, and general. In many respects 
Harrison was like him, but the spectacle of selecting the 
humble American citizen to rule over the nation was of 
the moral sublime, and far eclipsed anything in Grecian 
or Roman history, 

" In General Harrison, said Mr. Preston, in conclusion, 
I believe in after time we may be able to say, that the 
country has a second Washington in the second Harri- 
son. When this day comes, and God speed the time, 
for one I will be content — rest satisfied — leave the field 
of labor, — and say like one of oli — * Now, Lord, lettest 



WILLIAM e. PRESTON. 365 

thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have 
seen thy glory.' " 

On January 13th, 1841, Mr. Preston delivered in the 
Senate his famous speech on the Pre-emption Bill. That 
effort was in a more subdued tone than is usual with 
him, and presented a vast amount of statistical informa- 
tion. The following continuous passage, taken from the 
main body of the speech, will best exemplify his most 
substantial manner in the forum. Having submitted a 
long array of numerical facts to substantiate foregoing 
positions, he proceeds to say : 

" This account does not include the heavy disburse- 
ments for Indian wars, which, swelled by the recent 
enormous expenses in Florida, may be safely set down 
at forty millions of dollars. With this very large bal- 
ance standing against the land yet in possession of the 
United States, if the calculation of the value of that 
residue made by the Senator from South Carolina be cor- 
rect, the whole will not reimburse us, much less the 65 
per cent, which he proposes to reserve. And thus we 
shall ha\'e squandered not only what Virginia and the 
other States gave us, but also a large sum of money 
contributed by the old States in the form of taxes upon 
their citizens before the States now proposed to be bene- 
fitted were in existence. In this most obvious view of 
the case, we give out of the treasury, to a few favored 
States, 35 per cent, of many millions of dollars collect- 
ed from the other States. By this operation, Virginia 
will not only have given her lands, but her money also. 
She will have transferred her property, and paid a sum 
to those who take it. The quantity of land proposed 



366 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

to be surrendered by this act of cession is, according to 
the report of the select committee, one hundred and 
fifty-four millions of acres, lying in various portions of 
the nine selected States. Thirty-five per cent, upon this 
quantity is upwards of fifty millions of acres, certainly 
a munificent donation. The average annual income 
from the sale of public lands for the last twenty years is 
about five millions of dollars. Assuming this ratio, the 
annual grant in money to these nine States is more 
than a million and a half of dollars. It is equal to the 
civil lists of those States. It is the assumption of the 
public debts of those States. It is the distribution of 
the whole nett proceeds of the public lands amongst 
nine States. 

*' It seems to me that the mode of calculation by which 
the mover of this amendment brings down the value of 
the public lands is erroneous ; but, whatever that value 
may be, we have no power to cast it away. One thing 
is certain, that the sales yield an income of five millions, 
and that, in all human probability, they will continue to 
do so for the next thirty years. Their value for a sum 
in hand, therefore, is correctly estimated by a very ob- 
vious process. The annual receipts should cover the 
annual interest, and provide a sinking fund for the capi- 
tal. By this mode of calculation, then, allowing the in- 
come from the public lands to terminate at the end of 
thirty years, the present value in hand would be 
upwards of fifty millions; and the proposition thus re- 
duced results in a donation, in presenti, of seventeen 
millions of dollars to the nine States. The eagerness 
manifested by the Senators representing those States is 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 3(J7 

natural. There is a grandeur in this munificence which 
subdues the imagination, and casts into shade the vast 
donation of Virginia— differing from that, too, in this : 
that, whereas Virginia gave to all the States, herself in- 
cluded, this proposition gives to one-third of the States, 
containing less than one-sixth of the population. 

" That the average of the last twenty years is a just, 
or at least a sufficiently low, criterion of the proceeds of 
the public lands for the future, will be apparent from the 
consideration of the great increase of the population, 
which furnishes the demand for new lands. The Uni- 
ted States now contain 18,000,000 of inhabitants, an in- 
crease at the rate of about 700,000 a year. The de- 
mand for new settlements will increase in a correspond- 
ing ratio with the population. It may be safely put 
down as increasing at the rate of four per cent. Expe- 
rience, heretofore, has shown that the rale of purchase 
does not diminish, as the land has been picked and 
culled ; but on the contrary, those lands which have 
been longest in market are most freely sold, in pro- 
portion to the quantity in market. Thus, lands are 
more rapidly taken up in Ohio than in Arkansas, for the 
obvious reason that a dense population makes inferior 
land more valuable in the midst of it, than more fertile 
districts in an uninhabited country. There is but a 
million of acres of United States land now remaining 
unsold in Ohio, and even this is diminishing with an ac- 
celerated ratio. It therefore may be well assumed that 
from this source the United States may enjoy a revenue 
of five millions, until very much the largest portion of 
the domain within the nine States is disposed of, and 



368 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

long before that period Florida, Iowa, and Wisconsin will 
have brought their contributions to the general fund, 
and extended the period of this income to future gene- 
rations. Reasoning upon data known to be correct, in 
thirty years from this time the demand for the public 
lands will be in proportion to a population increasing 
at the rate of two millions a year. 

" But there are other serious objections to this amend- 
ment, and I invoke the attention of Senators from every 
quarter of the Union to that which I am now about to 
state. The proposed mode of disposing of the public 
lands is altogether, and to an enormous extent, unequal 
in its operation. What I insist on, is, that there shall 
be at any rate a perfect equality; that there shall not be 
discrimination and bounties in favor of one State and 
against another ; but here there is a degree of inequality 
which, were there no other objections, would be suffi- 
cient to compel my decided dissent. It is proposed to 
cede the public domain to each of the States respectively, 
within whose territorial liaiits they lie. It is given to 
the States, not to individuals. It is given to them, not 
as being all the States, but as being part only of the 
States of the Union. Should it be ceded to all the 
States, it would be a violation of the original cession, 
and of the Constitution, as the advocates of this measure 
contend. It is to be ceded to the States, not in propor- 
tion to their contributions to the public burdens, or in 
proportion to their size or population, but simply as 
States. And what will be the result, as between one of 
the States and another ? Ohio exceeds Missouri in pop- 
ulation four to one ; and how does this amendment pro- 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 369 

pose to distribute the public lands between these two 
States ? The share of Missouri is to the share of Ohio 
as more than twenty-eight to one, making the popula- 
tion of Missouri receive over the population of Ohio- 
more than one hundred to one. Can Ohio stand by and 
see the public domain given away in this proportion ? 
Nor is this all ; for the one million of acres which Ohio 
gets, is of lands which have been in market for more 
than forty years, and have been picked and culled during 
all that time, while the thirty millions which are given to 
Missouri consist of fresh and fertile lands but recently 
surveyed. Now let me ask, what will Virginia get? 
She contributes to the public burdens six times as much 
as Missouri. Missouri is to get thirty-five per cent, ol 
thirty millions. How much does Virginia get? No- 
thing ! This is not thirty millions to one ; it is thirty 
milUons to nothing. Besides, Ohio has now passed her 
chrysalis condition. She has now become one of the 
old States of the Union. A million of acres is nothing 
to her. But this amendment gives her her dividend 
but of one million of old and refuse land, while it gives 
Missouri her dividend of thirty miUions of new land ot 
the very best quality. 

" Let us now look a little at the operation of this scheme 
in its details. I have here the report of the learned Com- 
mittee on Public Lands, made at the last session, stating 
the quantity of public lands within the various States. 
Ohio, it appears, contains one million of acres of sec- 
ond, third, and fourth-rate lands, while Arkansas has 
forty-three millions of acres. 

[Mr. Sevier, across-— Yes, and it is rich]. 
16* 



370 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

" Yes, Arkansas is rich ; and this is one of the schemes 
to make the rich richer, and the poor poorer. Arkansas 
has forty-three times as much of the pubhc land as Ohio ; 
at the same time Ohio has a million and a half of inhab- 
itants, while Arkansas has one hundred thousand. Thus, 
one hundred thousand people are to be benefited at the 
rate of forty-three millions of acres of land — rich land, 
as the Senator tells us — while a million and a half of 
people in another State are benefitted at the rate of one 
million of refuse land. Arkansas is to get two hundred 
and fifteen acres to each inhabitant, and Ohio one-third 
of one acre ! beins: a difference of six hundred and 
forty-five in favor of Arkansas. Each inhabitant of 
Arkansas, therefore, will get six hundred and forty-five 
times as much as each inhabitant of Ohio. And so of 
the rest. Michigan has thirty-one millions of acres to 
Ohio's one million. Yet she has less than one hundred 
thousand inhabitants. The proportions are enormous. 
The original cession said that the avails of the public 
domain were to be shared among the States according 
to their several portions of the general charge and ex- 
penditure. Yet, here an inhabitant of Arkansas is to 
get six hundred and forty-five times as much as an 
inhabitant of Ohio ; or, if you regard the two as States, 
one gets forty-three times as much as the other. 

But it does not stop here. New States of the Union 
are selected as beneficiaries : are they, then, to be con- 
fined to the avails of the land they receive ? Not at 
all : after receiving that, they are then to come in and 
be common sharers with the rest of the States. We are 
to give them all their own lands, and a portion in ours 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 371 

besides! Virginia is to get one twenty-sixth part of 
one-half of these lands, and Arkansas, after having got 
her own thirty-one millions, is to share this one twenty- 
sixth part with Virginia. I should really hope, if the 
land must be given away, it will be at some rate more 
reasonable than this. The entire quantity of lands 
remaining unsold within the States enumerated in the 
Senator's amendment is 154,000,000 acres : one-half of 
this will be 77,000,000, one-third is 50,000,000. And 
the bill gives these 50,000,000 to nine States, the other 
States to get no portion of it. 

" I could run out this illustration yet further : but I 
refrain. Ex jjede, Herculem. These are sufficient. — 
These are to me strikino^ views, but thev are not the 
considerations which weigh most heavily upon my 
mind, and which I should be most glad to see removed 
if this amendment is to be adopted, and is ever to be- 
come a law. In arguing this whole question I feel the 
difficulty of our situation as arguing against the wishes 
and expectations of those who are to receive the benefit. 
The nine States who are to get this magnificent dona- 
tion have eighteen Senators among those whom I am 
addressing, who have, of course, a more direct interest 
in the adoption of the amendment than any of the rest 
of us. This, of itself, presents a powerful motive to 
secure their support to the measure : and this fact alone 
ought to make us pause before we hastily adopt the 
plan. The benefit to be granted is not common to us 
all, but peculiar to them— it is exclusive as to us. They 
are to be benefited : we are to be injured. In alludmg 
to the strength of the motive here presented as likely to 



372 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

band together eighteen Senators in support of this 
scheme, I mean to make no personal or offensive refer- 
ence to those Senators : it is a motive Hkely to act on 
all men placed in their circumstances. They desire, 
very naturally, and very properly, to benefit their con- 
stituents; and, under the pressure of that desire, with 
such an opportunity for its gratification, the understand- 
ing even of the strongest is very likely to be warped in 
its conclusions, and seduced to believe that the measure 
is perfectly just and proper. We must entreat gentle- 
men 'so situated, as I do now entreat them, to raise their 
views from the immediate interest of their constituents, 
in such a cession as is now proposed, to a just adminis- 
tration of the sacred trust which has been confided to 
them for the benefit of the entire Union. Is it right — is 
it just — is it generous — to find their own peculiar 
interest in our loss and sacrifice ? I throw myself upon 
them, that they will consider this subject in an enlarged 
point of view. Especially do I wish Ohio to do this, 
who is passing out of her state of minority and becom- 
ing of ripe age. Will Ohio consent thus to squander our 
common patrimony ? I put it to Indiana, who is soon 
about to become the third State in this Union : and I 
ask her whether, to promote a transient interest to-day, 
she will be willing to sacrifice the permanent and 
abiding interest of to-morrow ? and whether she will 
lend herself to the delusion that it is just to deprive the 
old States of the inheritance they have received from 
our ancestors ? 

"The amendment will produce a state of things I 
earnestly deprecate. In the administration of this do- 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 373 

main something is due to our past experience. We all 
remember the large amount of debt which was once ac- 
cumulated under the credit system of sale of the public 
lands ; you remember that the debtors declared that they 
could not pay, and would not. The very same spirit 
which prompts men to take the land without a legal 
right prompts them to stand out for the money they 
ought to pay for it. Circumstances made it difficult, 
perhaps impossible, for them to pay ; and I well recollect 
the terror with which the politicians of that day looked 
to the results of such a state of things. I remember with 
what anxiety, not to say terror, Mr. Monroe con- 
templated a debt of nineteen millions owed by one sec- 
tion of the Union. Congress looked with dismay at the 
mass of debt due from settlers on the Lower Missis- 
sippi ; and in contemplation of the mischievous eftects 
arising from the credit system, in relation to the public 
lands, you determined to alter your terms of sale ; and 
it was wisely decided to sell, in future, for cash alone. 
But if a scattered debt, due from individuals, be an evil 
of so dangerous a character as to excite their terrors, 
how fearful will it become when this debt, instead of be- 
ing dispersed among a number of individual settlers, is 
consolidated into one mass, and owed by a section which 
has already, from time to time, made claim to an inde- 
feasible title in all this land ! Can you collect it ? You 
cannot drive your debtors from the land. Will you call 
out the force of the country— send your army— sell 
the land under them, and take possession of it for the 
United States ? It cannot be done. To individuals, in 
such a case, you can afford to yield, and make a com 



874 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

promise ; but how will you stand when you have made 
States your debtors ? The amendment establishes the 
relation of debtor and creditor between this Government 
and entire States — with neighboring, with contiguous 
States — with a mass of States, all having one common 
interest in the question, one common character, and one 
common debt. Do you expect from a debtor like this 
to collect your debt by any process ? The thought is 
idle. I estimate the honor and fidelity of the States 
as much as any man ; but what have we heard for the 
last few years, from the other side of the Senate, but 
wild denunciations of State extravagance — State profli- 
gacy — and the dear, blessed people to be taxed to pay 
State debts ? Suppose there comes a short crop, or an 
Indian war, or any other of the like contingencies, would 
it not be urged as an excuse for not paying the State 
debt ? And would you venture, under such circum- 
stances, to call upon them for your money ? You dare 
not. Gentlemen have told you, in one breath, that you 
cannot protect your land from the squatters either by 
your tipstaves or by soldiers ; and in the very next breath 
they say you can force whole States to comply with 
their contracts by the power of the judiciary ! Your 
army cannot remove a handful of individuals, and yet you 
are going to drive the States by your judiciary ! You 
cannot turn off a poor squatter, who has no sort of title, 
or evidence or pretence of title ; and yet you are, by the 
most nugatory provisions of this bill, to oust a citizen of 
a State, having a deed from the State in his pocket, and 
the whole State power interposed between him and j^ou ! 
If a State s/iall declare that they will not pay you, do 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 375 

you expect that individuals of that State will ? God 
forbid that 1 should ever see the day when this comes to 
be tried, or that I should contribute to the possibility of 
superinducing it. You place the man between two 
fires. The State tells him to hold his land ; the General 
Government orders him to give it up. He is to be hung 
by the State if he disobeys the State Government ; and 
if he obeys the State, then he is to be hung by the 
General Government ! You never can enforce your 
contract; the judiciary is utterly incapable of it. The 
remedy which the amendment provides for the case is 
utterly inefficient. It is, that, if the States refuse to pay, 
then the deeds made by the States to individuals shall 
be vacated. Pshaw! Why, as I have said, with no 
deed at all, the settlers have stood out against you, and 
you have been forced to yield, over and over again ; 
think you that, with a State deed to show, and the State 
authority to shield them, they are going to march off their 
farms at the bidding of your marshall? He would be a 
bold man who would carry a process there. I say, then, 
that there is great danger in your establishing the pecu- 
niary relation of debtor and creditor with the States. If 
Ihey cannot pay, what will you do ? They will resist 
in masses. They have eighteen Senators on this floor ; 
and it is already their boast that in ten years from this 
time they will hold the balance of power, and that they 
will take the land upon their own terms. The remedy 
proposed by the amendment is altogether fallacious. It 
proposes to divert a vested right, and to drive a man 
from lands that he has bought and paid for." 

One of the very latest and most finished productions 



376 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

given to the public by Mr. Preston, was the eulogy he 
pronounced upon his early associate, literary rival, and 
political friend, Hugh S. Legare. The following brief 
extract, it is believed, applies to the eulogist as well as to 
his friend : 

" He mainly devoted himself to the departments of 
classical literature and philosophy ; and he zealously en- 
gaged in the discussions of the debating societies, to 
practice himself in the art of speaking. These studies 
were a passion with him. His attention to the exact 
sciences, however, seemed to be stimulated rather by 
an ambition of excellence and a sense of duty. His re- 
citations in mathematics, chemistry, and natural philo- 
sophy were always good — equal to the best in his class — 
but his heart was in the classics. There he was not 
only learning, but feasting. He was not only making 
stages on a journey, but lured on from height to height, 
enraptured with the glowing scene, until all the glorious 
creations of Greek and Roman genius lay like a land- 
scape beneath him." 

Further on, he describes the career prosecuted by Mr. 
Legare after he left college : 

" He did not fall into the fatal error of supposing 
that the college course completed his education, or that 
the distinction acquired by it entitled him to repose or 
indolence. He had learned enough — no inconsiderable 
knowledge — to know his ignorance, and did not believe 
that he had even laid a foundation, but had merely been 
collecting materials for an education. He left the col- 
lege, therefore, for the deeper seclusion of his own libra- 
ry, and entering on the study of law, rather added to 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 377 

than changed his former labors. The study of his pro- 
fession was the base Hne of very multifarious reading, 
and was in the beginning, and for many years after- 
wards, regarded as subsidiary to other objects requiring 
also other attainments." 

Having mentioned the fact that his lamented friend 
went to Paris in 1818, Mr. Preston proceeds to describe 
his occupations there, and the facilities he found for 
cultivating his most genial tastes : 

*•' The most attractive objects to him, were the galle- 
ries of fine arts and the theatres. The former, some- 
what shorn of their beams, in 1818, were yet glorious 
with the rich, though diminished spoils of Italy and Hol- 
land. His cultivated imagination found the counterparts 
of its images on the canvas or in marble: and while they 
filled him with delight, furnished him with more exalted, 
and at the same time with more definite, conceptions of 
grace, beauty, and sublimity. The theatres were then 
in the highest state of perfection, and Mr. Legare, being 
well acquainted with the French drama as a literature 
studied and enjoyed its representations on the stage 
with intense delight. Talma and Duchenois had 
brought tragic acting to perfection, and Mars was inimi- 
table in polite comedy. To Mr. Legare, their represent- 
ations was not only amusement, but a study. The thea- 
tre was to him what it was when Bolingbroke ap- 
plauded a play of Addison, or Johnson the acting of 
Garrick." 

These quotations are not only good specimens of 
Mr. Preston's narrative style, but, the last one in par- 
ticular they are very significant of the author's own 



378 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

mental predilections and most genial habitudes. He, 
too, was an early proficient and ardent votary in the 
classics, sojourned sometime in Europe, everywhere 
cultivated literary enthusiasm, studied all the elegant 
arts with fervid zeal, and was a passionate admirer of 
the drama. He has just told us about his friend's fond- 
ness for tragedy ; and what he immediately adds 
thereto looks even more like a description of his own 
temperament and taste than those of Legare. Of the 
latter he says : " It was, however, illustrative of a 
trait in his character, that he frequently sought and 
enjoyed the rich farce of Potier, or the naivete and 
idiomatic finesse of the vaudeville — for although his 
general demeanor was grave, and sometimes even aus- 
tere, yet there was a vein of fun running through his 
character ; with a keen perception of the ludicrous, 
which not unfrequently manifested itself in the presence 
of his intimate friends. At such moments his joyous- 
ness, his entire abandon, and the rich play of a riotous 
imagination over the vast field of his varied associa- 
tions, afforded an amusing . and not unpleasing contrast 
with his habitual reserve." 

There is a graceful, negligent, though animated, air 
about Mr. Preston's mode of public address which is 
exceedingly captivating. His language "thrills in each 
nerve, and lives along the line," with pre-eminent beauty 
and force. There is an exuberance of thought and 
imagery throughout his productions, and a copious ex- 
penditure of both, which seems as fearless of exhaus- 
tion, as it is prolific of delight. The reader in a good 
degree, and the hearer much more, feels that either him- 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 379 

self or the magician before him had "eaten of the 
insane root that takes the reason prisoner," such strancre 
elevations of spirit are produced, alternately glowing 
and shivering through the bosom. This result is pro- 
duced in a great degree by the extraordinary dramatic 
power in this orator. Deep emotion, pervading the 
whole form of an impassioned speaker, and investing him 
as with preternatural light, often has the most strikingly 
beautifying effect. Thus Baron de Grimm says of the 
great French actor Le Kain, that, off the stage, he was 
more than usually ugly, with coarse, unpleasing fea- 
tures, a heavy, unwieldy form, a hoarse and disagree- 
able voice, and manners entirely destitute of elegance. 
But on the stage, and really excited, so as to be wholly 
absorbed in his part, he was indeed a hero, a king, with 
features the most noble, or the most touching, a mein 
the most imposing and the most graceful, a voice the 
most tenderly pathetic, and that rare combination of 
irresistible perfections, which often drew from women 
who were convinced of his ugliness, involuntary excla- 
mations upon his beauty. Witness the Marquise de 
Pompadour, who, an hour after she found him frightful 
in a gallery of the Palace of Versailles, exclaimed, on 
seeing him appear upon the stage under the turban of 
Orasman : "Great God! how handsome this man is! 
how sublime! how admirable !" 

But this kind of effect was produced, as is always the 
case, by real feeling, and not by mere mouthing or 
mawkish affectation. La Plarpe testifies that "the play 
of Le Kain's features was not owing merely to the 
action of his muscles; it arose from the agitation of a 



380 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

soul moved to its very depths, yet revealing but a part 
of its torture, repressing far more than it displayed on 
the surface. His cries and his tears were the result of 
real sufferings ; the gloomy, fearful fire of his glances, the 
stamp of grandeur impressed upon his brow, the fright- 
ful contraction of his muscles, the tremor of his lips, 
and the wild disorder of his features, all testified to a 
heart full to overflowing — a heart impatient of restraint 
— impatient to pour forth its griefs, which, when re- 
vealed, found no relief We heard the echo of the 
inward storm, and we felt that the unhappy man, like 
the ancient priestess, was crushed by the divinity 
which had descended upon his bosom. It is necessary, 
therefore, to have seen the efl^ect that he produced, in 
order to imagine it and to credit it. One could never 
conceive that profound terror, that appalling silence, 
interrupted at times by the accents of grief, which re- 
sponded to those of the actor, by the sobs which testi- 
fied to the agitation of every heart, by the tears which 
had need to flow, to relieve the suffocated bosom. 
What a moment ! What a spectacle ! From the weep- 
ing that was heard on every side of the house, from 
the multiplied signs of general desolation, one would 
have thought that he beheld a people who had just 
been smitten with some great calamity." 

To be coarse is a vulgar error ; but to be mono- 
tonous, is a no less fatal, fault. Everything strongly 
marked in eloquent speech, good or bad, is the sponta- 
neous product of its author — his genius, his energy, his 
character. Those who are the most elaborately uni- 
'brm are far from being the most effective. It is those 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 381 

that stri.ce by their natural inequalities, their character- 
istic individuality, and whose faults and excellencies 
keep up perpetual expectation, who produce the greatest 
influence. The speaking of some men appears to be 
faultless, and this is all that is ever said about them. 
They are never approved or condemned earnestly, be- 
cause in character they are intrinsically tame. But 
other men agitate and almost convulse the public mind 
by contrary extremes ; and these, because they are full 
of character, produce much fierce discussion as to their 
merits, while by all parties they continue to be listened 
to with delight. It has been questioned whether Ra- 
phael would have acquired so great a name, if his 
coloring had been equal to his drawing or expression. 
As it is, " his figures stand out like a rock, severed from 
its base : while Correggio's are lost in their own beauty 
and sweetness." Whatever has not a mixture of strong 
contrasts, amounting often to manifest imperfection, in 
it, soon grows insipid, or seems "stupidly good." 

It is impossible to hide nature in artificial robes, and 
thus manufacture a lay figure which will command 
the sympathy and raptures of mankind. The great 
desideratum is, to impress character on whatever one 
attempts in speech. It is not coldly to recite sen- 
timent, but earnestly to act it. He who can best do 
this, exemplifies most agreeably an intellectual style. 
Listening to them we are carried along so delightfully 
with the deep and powerful current of their naturalness, 
that, like Partridge in Tom Jones, when he saw Gar- 
rick personate Hamlet, all seems so spontaneous, so 
completely without effort, that we feel sure, there is 



382 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

neither artifice nor mystery, extraordinary power nor 
genius, in the whole matter. The elder Kean was 
mighty, because he was his own great original, with all 
his errors and excellencies — " not the copyist of any 
other — not the pupil of a school — not a mannerist, but 
an actor who found all his resources in nature, who 
delineated his passions only from the expression that 
the soul gives to the voice and features of man — not 
from the images that have before him been represented 
on the stage. It is from the wonderful truth, energy, 
and force with which he strikes out, and presents to the 
eye this natural working of the passions of the human 
frame, that he excites the emotions, and engages the 
sympathy of his spectators and auditors." 

To those who know Mr. Preston, are familiar with 
his mental tastes, style of thought, and mianner of ex- 
pression, the propriety of these dramatic allusions will 
be seen at once. Not that our accomplished and elo- 
quent countryman is a mere mannerist in any sense. 
We have adduced copious proofs of his admirable ver- 
satility in composition, and all the world knows that he 
can most skillfully adapt his elocution to every form and 
shade of thought. The Tatler says there was a man in 
his day who could play nothing but the Apothecary in 
Romeo and Juliet. He succeeded so well in this, that 
he grew fat upon it, when he was set aside ; and having 
then nothing to do, pined away till he became qualified 
for his part again, and had another run in it. But Mr. 
Preston is not thus dependent upon any one occupation 
or style. Whenever he is roused, on whatever theme 
or occasion, there is a great deal of stage eflfect in his 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 383 

figure, voice, and general bearing, but it seems little in- 
debted to study. He was unmistakably created to pro- 
duce great oratorical eftects. His claim to admiration is 
in his boiling blood and flashing brain — the generousf 
ardor of his temperament, and his brilliant mental 
power. He is undoubtedly the Roscius of the Ameri 
can forum, but he is equally great in many othei 
spheres. He is by nature and habit gorgeously armed 
with the splendid excellence of passionate vigor ; but he 
is none the less potent and attractive in the quiet shades 
of literary research and domestic joy. 

We have presented a variety of written samples, 
showing the diversified features of Mr. Preston's mind 
as a cultivated statesman ; and have stated what we 
believe to be his predominant quality of temperament 
and general style. It remains now definitely to portray 
the characteristics of his extraordinary eloquence. 

We have said that his manner is highly dramatic ; and 
this is true, because it habitually embodies and exempli- 
fies deep human devotion by feature, form, and action. 
In the first place, the expression, physical and mental, as 
exhibited by Mr. Preston, is remarkable. Some orators, 
like Rembrandt, possess the full empire of light and 
shade, and of all the tints that float between them ; they 
can tinge their pencil with equal success in the cool of 
dawn, in the noon-day ray, in the livid flash, in evanes- 
cent twilifrht, and render darkness visible, if they like. 
Such masters are men inspired, be their sphere of devel- 
opment and creative power what it may. To them 
nature discloses all the varied light of rising, meridian, 
and setting suns. Height, depth, solitude, convulsion, 



384 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

strike, terrify, absorb, or bewilder them by turns, and 
under the action of these diversified views and emo- 
tions, they cause us to see what they see, feel as they 
feel, and traverse mournfully or joyously with them 
through classic, romantic, or sacred regions. The se- 
date, the severe, the solemn, the gay, the pleasing, the 
placid, the awful, and the sublime, are depicted by turns ; 
each touch in harmony with the subject, and all 
invested with the greatest propriety and force. Of this 
stamp is William C. Preston. He can speak the world's 
one tongue, in tone, feature, and action, with simulta- 
neous and irresistible effect — that language which, when- 
ever and wherever it is truly expressed, always " trem- 
bles towards the inner founts of feeling," and produces 
the most pleasing as well as most potent results. "With 
gleaming plumes, that might o'ercome an air of ada- 
mantine denseness, pranked with fire," his appearance 
before an audience is the signal for universal admira- 
tion and profound respect. He possesses in full measure 
that " winged power " which Pindar praises in Homer, 
and which whirls incident on incident with such rapid- 
ity, that, absorbed by the whole, we are drawn from the 
imperfection of single parts, and are enthralled as by 
the fantasies of a vision. 

This orator commands within his own bosom the 
source of deep pathos, as well as the more fiery foun- 
tains of passion and pungent wit. In this versatility 
lies the secret of his greatest power. He who can best 
delineate the suffering side of human nature can like- 
wise represent the gay side ; because he who can attain 
the greater has already reached the less. Mr. Preston 



* 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 385 

is an admirable painter of the florid school ; but, perhaps, 
is not so expert in severe reasoning and analytical 
thought. He can defend any favorite system with the 
flowers of rhetoric much more effectively than with the 
inflexible and inodorous weapons of syllogistic form. 
Without injustice, it is believed, we may apply to him the 
critical judgment which Broussais pronounced before the 
Institute of France, on the historian Mignet, wherein he 
sums up the character of that extraordinary man as 
follows : — " His mind, which was quick, penetrating, 
strong, and creative, was deficient in the essential of 
rigor ; he did not always propound his problems well, and 
often contented himself with imperfect solutions, be- 
cause he observed shrewdly, but concluded hastily. To 
inquire and believe, to afl[irm and contend, were with 
him necessities ; he knew not what it was either to doubt 
or to hesitate. Thence arose at once his imperfections, 
his talent, his power, his success; he thence derived a 
style beautifully animated and free, glowing, copious, 
unequal, vigorous ; he thence drew the inspiration of 
those works which interested not only as the expo- 
sition of his ideas, but as the echo of his feelings, for 
he threw into them both his views and himself." Not 
that our gifted countryman is incapable of severe argu- 
ment, but he superabounds in other qualities which, if 
they are less rigid, are often more captivating. He 
knows himself, and can make his audience deliciously 
comprehend the poet's meaning when he exclaims — 

" How sweet to feel the sun upon the heart ! 
To know it is lighting up the rosy blood, 

17 



386 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

And with all joyous feelings, prison-hued, 
Making the dark breast shine like a spar grot." 

Again, the form which Mr. Preston's eloquence in- 
stinctively assumes is as remarkable as its expression, 
and contributes much to its peculiar force. As has 
been already estimated, his style is beautiful, graceful, 
exuberant, and sometimes undefined. When one's 
fancy borders on phrensy, he will be most likely to de- 
spise the drudgery of minute detail. His reasoning is 
less composed by laborious skill than grouped by in- 
stinctive emotion; this teaches him at once to grasp his 
subject, stamp his character, and arrange its costume. 
He does not, like Calhoun, draw from the resources of 
matchless dialectics; but he pours forth without stint the 
effusions of a glowing and resolute sensibility. His 
speech, "looking as woven in a loom of light," unlike 
the frigid and opaque products of pedantic cloisters, is 
lucid to the eye and genial to the heart. For this rea- 
son is he heard on popular occasions with much more 
interest than are those who are colder and more method- 
ized. He has read enough in every department of| 
science, literature, art, and morals, to be habitually in- 
structive, and is especially distinguished for the ability to 
express what he does know in language at once clear, 
fervid, and emphatic. The depth of his emotion, and 
the violence of his mental action, permeating and im- 
pelling his physical powers, are expressed in a glowing 
eloquence, well calculated to enrapture men, and win 
extended popularity. It is a style which combines 
many attractive qualities. The mirror of feeling and 
generosity, it is the translucent organ of imagination 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 387 

and reason, political philosoph}^ and impassioned poetry. 
Its common aim and chief success consists in the deline- 
ation of emotion; but it also possesses a good deal of 
artistic precision and intellectual force. In dealing with 
familiar topics, he often gives much clearness, regularity, 
and power to his expressions. Hence it is that 

" He rule«, like a wizard, the world of the heart, 
To call up its sunshine, or draw down its showers." 

When imagination predominates in a speaker, we 
should expect to find in him much contrast and display, 
,ap[)arcntly artificial exuberance, and melo dramatic com- 
binations. Mr. Preston sometimes appears to strain too 
much after efiect; this, however, is produced more by 
nature than alTectation, since persons of his stamp, 
more than they themselves are usually aware, have their 
reason a good deal enthralled by imagination and the 
passions. The native warmth of our orator tinges all 
his words in the higher forms of speech, "hke gold-hued 
cloud-Hakes on the rosy morn." Instead of congealing 
his eloquence through arbitrary combinations, he imbues 
it with the fire of a soul naturally acute and invincibly 
free. He abounds in that emotion which instantly be- 
comes conviction in the masses; and is persuasive, 
because his spirit, sensitive and versatile, bears always 
in its accent the true impression of the moment, and the 
distinct expression of his actual design. In his gentler 
mopd and ethereal musing, he resembles, 

" That snow-like fall of feeling which overspreads 
The bosom of the youthful maiden's mind. 
More pure and fair than even its outward type." 



388 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

That is the most powerful speech which in the direct- 
est manner addresses all our perceptions, not only by 
arguments which we are bound to hear, but through 
that higher language of the heart to which it is bliss to 
listen. It is this that chains the feelings and the imagina- 
tion, convinces while it exhilarates, and holds us enthrall- 
ed for a season in spite of ourselves, that thereby it may 
more effectually exalt our conceptions and ennoble their 
worth. It is the sentiments of a discourse that should 
claim our chief solicitude, and not its language or form, 
the work and not the instrument, as " 'twas not by words 
Apelles charm'd mankind." Eloquence is a central 
glory, a blazing focus, around which all the rays of 
knowledge, experience, and science, all the ideal as well 
as all the practical of our nature, arrange themselves in 
one harmonious whole to irradiate and adorn every 
kingdom of mind. 

But this grand principle of mental unity in oratorical 
efforts by no means excludes variety, it rather impe- 
riously demands it. For example, of all writers that 
ever lived, Homer, in his epic, impresses one particular 
idea — the generic one of war. But in doing this, his 
heroes and heroines are delineated by the most con- 
trasted and striking individualities of character. Aga- 
memnon and Achilles, Thersites and Ulysses, Diomed 
and Nestor, Helen and Andromache, are most widely 
different in tone, form, and style. The efficient ora- 
tor must have wisdom, therefore, and if it is imbued with 
practical flexibility, he cannot have too much of it ; 
since he will be able to appreciate and produce the per- 
fect, only so far as he is qualified to discern and avoid 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 389 

the defective. Rhetorical artificiahiess is an appearance, 
but eloquence is a substance ; the former bears the same 
relation to the latter, that a skeleton does to a living man. 
Only as the orator penetrates into the depths of his own 
soul, will he be able to take the accurate measure and 
truthful hues of appropriate materials, and thus give to his 
productions an import and symmetry that seem at once 
natural and supernatural. He appropriates to his use 
whatever in the universe around him is most signifi- 
cant, pertinent, and interesting; and having constructed 
an organic whole of the richest matter and most grace- 
ful form, he breathes into it the highest value, even the 
breath of life. To aspire constantly after the truly na- 
tural, is to soar to the highest pinnacle of worth; but 
to be content with the mere appearance of naturalness 
is to sink to the lowest depth. Not only must there be 
knowledge founded on theory and matured by practice, 
a mass of select and well-digested materials, perspicuity 
of method and fluency of utterance, but there must also 
be imagination to place these things in bold and brilliant 
points of view, presence of mind, conscious vigor, and 
daring resolution. Dry reason is rendered but the more 
repulsive by an alliance with a cloudy, formless, and 
nerveless fancy ; but vivid and creative imagination is 
an auxiliary of the greatest beauty and use ; the first 
being the torpid chrysalis, the latter the butterfly set 
free on unwearied wings to soar in flowery fields, on 
lofty hills, or through azure heavens. 

"Hence, all-majestic on th' expanding soul, 
In copious tide, the bright ideas roll: 



390 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Fill it with radiant forms unknown before, 
Forms such as demigods and heroes wore." 

We have spoken of the expressive features and pecu- 
liar form of Mr. Preston's eloquence, and shall conclude 
our portraiture of him by a notice of his remarkable 
action. 

Says an English writer, " There are two aspects in 
which language may be viewed as a medium of com- 
municating admiration, wisdom, delight, to others ; 
one would be speech. Then how astonishing to think 
that you can stand in the centre of a mighty congrega- 
tion of learned or ignorant, thoughtful or reckless men 
— all the elements of the understanding cast together in 
tumultuous disorder — and knock at every one of their 
minds in succession. Think how this has been done,— - 
by Demosthenes, waving the multitude into repose from 
his mound of turf, on some Grecian hill-side ; by Plato, 
subduinoj the souls of them who listened to him under 
the boughs of a dim plane ; by Cicero, in the stern si- 
lence of the forum ; by our own Chatham, in the 
chapel of St. Stephen. Think how each and all not 
only knocked, but entered ; wandered over the hearts 
of their hearers ; traced the secret and winding circuits 
of feeling; roused the passions in their darkest recesses 
of concealment, knocking, entering, searching. This 
was much, but they did more. In eveiy heart they set 
up a throne ; they gave laws; they wielded over it the 
sceptre of intellectual royalty. Thus the Athenian 
crowd start up with one accord and one cry to march 
against Philip ; and the Senate throbs with the convul- 
sive agony of indignant patriotism, rushing upon Cata- 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 391 

line ; and the vast assembly of genius and power in 
our own parliament is dissolved for a season — as hap- 
pened after an address of Sheridan — that it might re- 
cover from the benumbing wand of the enchanter. 
And this is the working of language undgr the aspect of 
speech. 

" But it is in the second shape of language, that of 
literature, in which the most wonderful faculty resides. 
The power of persuasion is mighty, but perishable ; its 
life, for the most part, passes with the life of the speaker. 
It darkens with his eye; it stiffens with his hand; it 
freezes with his tongue. The swords of these cham- 
pions of eloquence are buried with them in the grave. 
Where is the splendid declamation of Bolingbroke? 
Vanished as completely as the image of his own form 
from the grass-plots of Twickenham! But in that 
speech, which is created by the printing-press into lite- 
rature, dwells a principle never to be quenched. Lite- 
rature is the immortality of speech. Here, however, as 
under the former aspect, the medium of communication 
effects, in the strongest manner, the object conveyed. 
Hence it has been ever found, that those books are the 
most admired and the most enduring which reflect the 
thoughts with the most lucid simplicity. Thus it 
is in Homer, Plato, Livy, and Ariosto. The trans- 
parency of the diction preserves every feature of 
thought unbroken. And this transparency is always 
the result of intense fervor of conception. That exqui- 
site material through which, from our sunny chambers, 
we gaze out on the scenery of woods and gardens, has 
received its crystalline purity only through the fiery pro 



392 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

cesses of the furnace. It was melted by the flame 
before the rough particles of sand disappeared in that 
cloudless surface of beauty, through which the minutest 
fibre of the leaf, or the purple streak upon the tulip, is 
conspicuous. It is the same with language. The harsh 
ingredients have been blended and fused by the ardent 
flame of an excited imagination, before it brightens into 
that surface of mild beauty upon which the physiogno- 
my of the faintest emotion may be distinctly traced. 
Pope has not omitted to notice this peculiarity in the 
Homeric poems, and to attribute it to this cause." 

The above remarks are strikingly, and yet in a de- 
gree mournfully appropriate to the subject of this 
sketch. Their pertinency consists in the vivid manner 
in which they describe the process which has produced 
the transparent force of his style ; and the only sad asso- 
ciation they suggest is that connected with the fact that 
when he can be no longer seeii in the full splendors of 
his living speech, much of his oratorical influence will 
have become forever eclipsed. His written eloquence 
is not devoid of admirable traits, but it is his spoken 
excellence — as heard, felt, seen, in himself alone, that is 
so rarely excelled. 

There is a vast superiority in those inspirations of 
vitality and action which enlist themselves at once on 
the side of truth with a fearlessness of argument and 
enthusiasm which bear down all opposition. In the 
greatest emergency, Mr. Preston does not fear to aban- 
don himself to his own sensations, and depend upon 
them. Like the Scythian warrior, he is most deadly in 
his aim when moving at the fleetest pace. This is at 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 393 

the same time the source of great practical power and 
the cause of much popular admiration. There is some- 
thing very fascinating in seeing that done with careless 
ease, which most persons attempt only with laborious 
difficulty ; to witness the performance, causes the spec- 
tator to share somewhat in that general animation with 
which the masterly adept seems to be inspired. Though 
at the moment we may not reflect on the great pains 
which have been taken beforehand to secure the facility 
we witness, our pleasure is undivided in feeling, as well 
as seeing, the results produced. It is only as the mind 
is free and spontaneous that it can be pleasing and im- 
pressive. Whatever is undertaken by a reluctant un- 
derstanding, and executed with a servile hand, cannot 
be characterized by any high degree of excellence. — 
Extemporaneous speech is our orator's great forte, and 
in this department he is without a superior in this land 
or age. " Lighting himself, where'er he soars or dives, 
with his own bright brain," his inspired declamation 
occupies the very first rank of its kind. He has more 
power to astonish, perhaps, than ability to inform ; and 
yet in this latter quality he is not ordinarily excelled. 
He has learned to generalize his ideas, and verify their 
worth in perpetual practice, effective and appropriate. 
It is thus that he has acquired the only true criterion of 
oratorical worth, exemplified by him ; while with a wise 
care, 

" Judge of his art, through beauty's realms he flies, 
Selects, combines, improves, diversifies." 

Every great mind is endowed with a prevailing cha 
17* 



394 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

acteristic, to which all other qualities minister without 
being absorbed ; and this prevailing trait, like the key- 
stone of an arch, unites and fortifies all lesser powers. 
Agility does not destroy firmness, nor strength crush 
agility; elegance does not degenerate into efi:eminacy, 
nor is hugeness mistaken for grandeur. Dignity, grace, 
and valor, when combined in the greatest and most per- 
fect degree, lose none of their primary features, but 
blend in harmonious excellence, and present an aggre- 
gate of most delightful charms. Thus the Hercules of 
Glycon, though the symbol of absolute, uniform, and 
irresistible strength, is swift as a stag, elastic as a ball, 
and in his rugged might graceful like Apollo. So in 
eloquence, perfection does not destroy truth, or deface 
elegance. Racine, in all the refinement of his art is 
more natural than Victor Hugo ; just as the Python- 
slayer, in all his divinity, is more human in his form 
and motion than an Egyptian colossus. 

Nothing tends more to destroy oratorical efi'ect than 
insane profusion : while, on the other hand, the entire 
absence of adornments is not so much simplicity, as 
poverty. There may sometimes appear to be much 
beauty when there is no force ; as Milton's fine dark 
eyes continued to sparkle w^hen they were stone blind. 
But this is not often the case with Preston, whose pre- 
vailing power lies in profuse and vital enthusiasm. 
He is familiar with classical learning, and is a sincere 
devotee at the shrine of all the elegant arts. Ever in- 
dustrious to transfer the best and most enduring 
beauties to oratory, he has, by aid of his vivid imagina- 
tion, imparted to the language of the forum charms 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 395 

which neither painting nor music had the ability to 
express. It is this quality that renders him habitually 
energetic, but seldom extravagant. As Titian, in the 
dreadful familiarity with which he causes the guardian 
snake of the Boeotian well to approach the companions 
of Cadmus, touched the true vein of terror and marked 
its limits, so Preston can with a bold hand suggest the 
horrible in a few significant lines, and yet control him- 
self with a sagacious taste that seldom offends. In him, 
this is the inspiration of nature, rather than the dictate 
of art, and is at once the basis and crowning charm of 
his fervid eloquence. But 

" Thy last, thy noblest task remains untold, 
Passion to paint, and sentiment unfold." 

To the question. What are the chief sources of Mr. 
Preston's eloquence ? we would mention three — love of 
the beautiful, native enthusiasm, and patriotic devotion. 

In the first place, the inspiring, beautifying, and 
ennobling influence of plastic, pictorial, and dramatic 
art are loved by few, and appreciated by none, with a 
more discriminating and ardent zeal than by the ex- 
Senator from South Carolina. From early manhood he 
has been their devoted admirer and munificent patron. 
At home and abroad he has sought out the best models, 
and imbued his soul with their consummate charms. 
Their inarticulate melody has become the vernacular 
of his heart, and this perpetual paean resounding within, 
has delicately attuned more earthly organs, and perpet- 
ually coins language kindred to itself, and most palpable 
to common sense. 



396 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

The elegant arts occupy a very important place in 
the education of every nian destined for the functions 
of public life. Aristotle, in the Third Chapter of the 
Eighth Book of his Politics, speaking of the statesmen 
of his day, says : — " All men taught grammatta or lit- 
erature, gymnastics and music, and many teen graphi- 
keen, or the art of design, as being useful, and abun- 
dantly useful, to the purposes of life ; but mainly be- 
cause it enables us to appreciate the merits of distin- 
guished artists, and carries us to the contemplation of 
real beauty ; as letters, which are the elements of cal- 
culation, terminate in the contemplation of truth." 

To the same purpose, Castiligione, the friend of j 
Raphael, in his Cortigiano, says : " Before I undertake | 
this, there is one thing I desire to speak of, which, ; 
because in my judgment it appears of importance, 
ought by no means to be omitted in the character of 
our perfect statesman, and that is skill in drawing, and 
a competent knowledge in the very art of painting : 
nor think it strange that I require this skill in a states- 
man, which in these days is looked upon as mechanical, 
and little becoming a gentleman." 

If in all our higher institutions of learning there were 
galleries and competent professors of art, as well as li- 
braries and literary disquisitions, it would be well for the 
genius of the present generation, and auspicious of the 
best cultivation in all future time. The bases of the 
arts touch each other : the same principles govern all, 
and they are especially serviceable to those who would 
perfect themselves in eloquence. The ancients- were 
convinced of this, and have transmitted to us the name 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 397 

of Theon the Samian, as owing his celebrity to that 
intuition into the secret and sudden movements of 
nature, which the Greeks called fantasias, the Romans 
visiones, and which are better understood among our- 
selves by the phrase of "unpremeditated conceptions," 
or the re-production of associated ideas. Quintilian ex- 
plains this principle in the following passage in his rhe- 
toric. Says he : " We give the name of visions to what 
the Greeks called fantasies; that power by which the im- 
ages of absent things are represented by the mind with 
the energy of objects moving before our eyes : he who 
conceives these rightly will be a master of passions ; his 
is that well-tempered fancy which can imagine things, 
voices, acts, as they really exist, a power, perhaps, in a 
great measure dependent on our will. For if these 
images so pursue us when our minds are in a state of 
rest, or fondly fed by hope, or in a kind of waking dream, 
that w^e seem to travel, to sail, to fight, to harangue in 
public, or to dispose of riches we possess not, and all 
this wdth an air of reality, why should we not turn to 
use this vice of the mind ? Suppose I am to plead the 
case of a murdered man, why should not every supposable 
circumstance of the act float before my eyes ? Shall 
I not see the murderer, unawares, rush in upon him ? 
In vain he tries to escape — see how pale he turns — hear 
you not his shrieks, his entreaties ? Do you not see him 
flying, struck, falling? Will not his blood, his ashy sem- 
blance, his groans, his last expiring gasp, seize on my 
mind ?" 

Observation, meditation, scientific research, and his- 
torical lore furnish the chief substratum of eloquence. 



398 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

These transplant us into diversified regions and remotest 
times; empires and revolutions of empires pass before 
us with memorable facts and actors in their train — the 
legislator, the philosopher, the discoverer, the warrior, 
the artist, the divine, the grand agents of Providence and 
the beneficent polishers of life, are the personages which 
learning may collect, and the materials which reason 
may employ. But there are other, and often mightier 
faculties of the mind, in popular address, which demand 
other implements for their effective use. We refer to 
dramatic invention, the legitimate employment of which 
is seen in the exhibition of character, in the conflict of 
passions with the rules and prejudices of society, the 
rights and wrongs of the world. It is this that inspires, 
agitates us by reflected self-love, with pity, terror, hope 
and fear, joy and remorse ; whatever makes thoughts 
and events, time and place, the instruments of charac- 
ter and pathos, let the tissue be actual or fictitious, is its 
legitimate claim, and may be subordinated to the most 
profitable designs. Such is the invention of Sophocles, 
Shakspeare, and Raphael; and such is the character 
most marked in Mr. Preston's style. This imparts to 
him, in his happier inspirations, a grace which is beauty 
in motion ; it regulates the air, the attitudes, and move- 
ments of his body and mind — 

" The nameless graces which no methods teach, 
And which a master-hand alone can reach." 

Minds of pure Attic taste love the Hybla heather more 
for its sweet hives than its purple hues ; but they only 
become more attractive when delicately tinged with the 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 399 

last. Still we should never forget that natural beauty 
is more desirable than the most consummate art, as a 
fair forehead outshines the diamond diadem thereon. 
Mere prettiness cannot long absorb attention in the 
presence of native majesty, any more than the transient 
sparkle of a cascade can withdraw the eye of refined 
taste from the mountain soaring above its source and 
sublimely reposing in its evening silence. 

Some men seem to have dreamed of an angel's face 
in early youth, and spent their whole subsequent life in 
trying to embody, in every word they utter, something 
of its loveliness. '' In act most graceful and humane, 
their tongue drops manna." Mr. Preston is of this 
order in eloquence, inasmuch as he abounds in fervid 
imagery, genial sentiments, and elegant variety. There 
is less frigid simplicity than animated propriety in his 
composition. His language often resembles that of the 
Norman troubadour who compared the object of his 
love with a bird whose plumage assumes the hues of 
every flower and precious stone. He habitually de- 
pends almost entirely on the circumstances of the occa- 
sion or the excitement of the hour ; and such men suc- 
ceed admirably, or universally fail. They never drudge 
along with the uniform calmness of stupid mediocrity. 
They speak well only when they are manifestly inspired, 
and then they appear like an oriental sun, announced 
by no dawn and succeeded by no twilight. 

The second source of Mr. Preston's eloquence, and 
a very prolifi^c one, is his native enthusiasm. The rea- 
son why great excellence is so rare on the rostrum, or 
in forensic debate, results from the necessity of com- 



400 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

bihing qualities the most diverse, as a pre-requisite to 
its attainment. To a sound head there must be united 
a warm and magnanimous heart. There is truth in the 
saying, that "something in fires depends upon the 
grate :" it is not an exaggerated assertion that almost 
everything in eloquence depends upon the peculiar tem- 
perament of the orator. If he is by nature frigid and 
formal, his speech will necessarily be barrenner than 
ice ; but if an ardent and affectionate spirit throbs in 
his bosom, it is probable that a corresponding pulse and 
power will characterize the language he employs. 
Examine all great orators, and you will invariably find 
them 

" Rich in invisible treasures, like a bud 
Of inborn sweets, and thick about the heart 
With ripe and rosy beauty — full to trembling." 

Says an agreeable writer, "There are some persons in 
the world who are special favorites among all who 
know them, who find or make friends everywhere ; 
whose company every one enjoys, and from whom 
every one is loath to separate. Their frank and easy 
manners inspire confidence at first sight, and one num- 
bers them as friends almost as soon as one has made 
their acquaintance. No one is ever * not at home ' to 
them ; their visit is anticipated as a pleasure ; and no 
one feels disposed to part with them without the cordial 
inquiry, ' When shall we see you again ?' There is 
an exuberance of pleasureable life about them which 
seems to diffuse itself among all around, and their pre- 
sence is felt to be an addition to the general amount of 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 401 

happiness in the circle privileged with their company. 
In selecting a party of friends, their name always sug- 
gests itself first, and the absence of any two others 
would be a less disappointment than theirs. Every one 
seeks their side at the dinner-table, and he deems him- 
self fortunate whose chair in the social circle is next to 
theirs. Innocent childhood loves to sit on their knee 
and prattle its earnest nonsense in their ear; impetuous 
youth finds in them cordial companions ; and old age 
values them as pleasant and estimable friends. And 
yet it is not to their personal comeliness that they are 
indebted for their popularity, for their exterior is often 
far from prepossessing ; nor to their intellect, for even 
their best admirers do not imagine them Byrons, nor do 
they themselves turn down their shirt-collars to be 
thought sucii. They have no remarkable vein of 
humor to boast of, never made a pun, perhaps, in their 
lives, scarcely know what an epigram is, are quite inca- 
pable of setting the table in a roar, and are distinguished 
neither for their fine clothes nor their long purses. 
One quality, however, they possess, which proves an 
over-match for every other distinction, namely, a trans- 
parent kindly nature, a desire to promote the happiness 
of all around them, a generous warmtli of feeling, a 
frank cordial bearing, a universal sympathy— in one 

word, ' heart.' " 

Every sentence of this description applies very ap 
propriately to Mr. Preston, barring what is said about 
punning and setting the table in a roar. He is no 
bungler at that ! Otherwise the portrait is correct of 
our enthusiastic countryman in whom the dew-drops 



402 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

that gemmed the morning of life were not " parched 
and dried up in manhood's noon." The confiding trust, 
and uncalculating generosity of youth, were not merged 
into the cold suspicious selfishness common to our ma- 
turer days. His head has not been disciplined at the 
expense of the heart ; and the boasted wisdom of age 
has not been made the poor substitute for that freshness 
of feeling which it is the unhappy tendency of artificial 
education to depress if not entirely to eradicate. Car- 
rying the frank buoyancy and indomitable enthusiasm 
of early boyhood along with his maturing growth 
through its every stage, Mr. Preston may now say, in 
the full meridian of his powers, " I live in all things and 
am closed in none." 

This native generosity, or quality of heart of which 
we have spoken, creates the best writers and most 
popular orators in the world. It was this that made 
Shakspeare, Goldsmith, Cowper, and Burns what they 
were with the pen ; and it was this that endowed Chat- 
ham, Sheridan, Patrick Henry, and his distinguished 
relative, William C. Preston, with their great power in 
public speech. Such men gleam not in the cold and 
lifeless radiance of the moon, but with the genial and 
vitalizing splendors of the sun. The enthusiasm glow- 
ing in their own bosom has an affinity for all aifection, 
and inclines all hearts to itself as the magnet draws 
steel. It is a power grounded on the broad base of hu- 
man nature, and vibrates upon the feelings, not of this 
or that conventional class of persons, but in the breast 
of our common humanity. Herein lies the magical 
influence of some men in the pulpit, at the bar, and in 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 403 

the senate ; they are actuahties and not shams, have 
soul-leverage about them and can heave the world, 
calling forth smiles and tears, shouts and sobs at will. 
Every word they speak 

" Doth seek its way into the list'ning heart, 
As will a bird unto her secret nest, — 
Then sit and sing." 

The orator under consideration is not one of those 
apathetic beings who never feel themselves enlarged and 
ennobled by those inspirations which elevate the person 
in whom they swell above the ordinary forces of dull 
humanity in the full fruition of pure and exalted joys. 
On the contrary, his soul teems with that native and en- 
thusiastic imagination which has been the fortune of 
each gr-eat poet, painter, and orator that has ever lived. 
Every character moulded by such creators as iEschylus, 
Homer, Dante, or the Bard of Avon, is energized by 
them in and through the heart. In the language of a 
powerful living author : " Every circumstance or sen- 
tence of their being, speaking, or seeming, is seized by 
process from within, and is referred to that inner secret 
spring of which the hold is never lost for an instant; so 
that every sentence, as it has been thought out from the 
heart, opens for us a way down to the heart, leads us to 
the centre, and then leaves us to gather what more we 
may ; it is the open sesame of a huge, obscure, endless 
cave, with inexhaustible treasure of pure gold scattered 
in it : the wandering about and gathering the pieces 
may be left to any of us, all can accomplish that; but 



404 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

the first opening of that invisible door in the rock is of 
the imagination only. 

It will easilv be inferred from what we have said con- 
cerning this particular trait that it is far from preserving 
its possessor from every fault. Of all men, he will be 
inclined to muse more than meditate, dictate to an 
amanuensis rather than handle his own pen. He would 
prefer riding with Ariosto on winged horses through the 
air, instead of sitting down with Milton to help " waste a 
sullen day with neat repast of Attic taste and wine." 
Mr. Preston, by natural endowments, if not by habitual 
preference, is of that class who " rather love a splendid 
failing than a petty good ;" and whose spontaneous 
potency enables them to sway the masses of mankind as 
they list, now " leading them with Tyrtaean fire," now 
singing them to rest with gentlest murmurings. A mind 
thus impregnated with the flames of oratorical genius, 
though it may be greatly wanting in certain attributes, 
will surely in the end crown itself with the brightest 
honors, despite the cavils of envy or the sneers of mal- 
ice. That is a very inferior style which is character- 
ized by no manifest defects and no striking beauties. 
Such speakers must be classed with them who, as the 
great poet of character says, are " men of no mark or 
likelihood.'* But to this category our orator does not 
belong. He deals not in " the fantastic visions of fruit- 
ful mediocrity," but with more valuable materials 
expended in a more glorious career. Homer's descrip- 
tion of Venus approaching Anchises, and her influence 
on the woods, the birds, the sea, the fiercest animals even, 
may be taken as a fit symbol of the power which the 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 405 

fervidly beautiful eloquence of Mr. Preston exerts on all 
classes everywhere. 

We remark, in conclusion, that his patriotic devotion, 
based on and blended with his native enthusiasm and 
love of the beautiful, iS to him the third, and perhaps 
most prolific source of oratorical power. 

At the outset, we arranged before the reader a variety 
of examples showing the versatility of which Mr. Preston 
is capable in composition. His elocution accords exactly 
thereto. In his medium manner, he is all ease, frank- 
ness, and bland familiarity ; brilliant in expression, lively, 
even animated to a high degree often, but not too much 
so, to make a very agreeable impression on his audience, 
whatever may be the theme. Then, his language is 
" soft as a feathed-footed cloud in heaven," and his lucid 
demonstration is " full of all-sparkling sparry loveliness." 
He often falls into this careless, colloquial style, in a 
modulated tone, clear, distinct enunciation, and with a 
rich exuberance of unpremeditated sentiment, addressing 
the mind and heart of the delighted audience, and letting 
the ear glean after what it can. 

On occasions of greater importance, he indicates 
more care in preparation, and presents more elabo- 
rated thought. When he sets himself earnestly at work 
with all his energies to meet a great emergency, the in- 
tellii^ent witness of the result feels that, as Zeuxis col- 
lected all the beauties of Agrigentum to compose a per- 
fect model, so Preston, when he wishes, can lay every 
department of excellence under contribution to com- 
pose his argument and adorn it with unequalled charms. 
From his place in the Senate, he poured molten gold 



406 LIVING ORATORS [N AMERICA. 

into the crucible of politics, with gems gathered from 
every glittering grotto, and fragrance distilled from 
every blooming field ; and, lo ! there issued from the 
fusion, many substantial and splendid formulas, beside 
much excellence that was palpable only to the most 
delicate sense. 

But the best strength of this enthusiastic patriot is never 
taxed to the utmost except when he feels that real and 
fearful dangers threaten the welfare of his own State or 
the Union at large. He loves his country deeply, pas- 
sionately, and we sincerely believe that no man is more 
willing to make greater sacrifices for the general weal, or 
more competent to promote it. Few excel him in gen- 
tler strains, "the sway of social, sovereign peace;" but 
absolutely none like him can effectively command that 
more fiery eloquence that rings on the startled world 
like a clarion, and is "swift, in use diverse, as is a war- 
rior's spear." He then breathes all the firm resolute- 
ness of the martial-god, while " his red shield drips 
before him." He who is not sincerely patriotic,, lacks a 
fundamental private virtue, and is as unworthy of pub- 
lic confidence as he will be certainly destitute of popular 
power. Practical experience and undoubted love ot 
country are essential to inspire respect and excite affec- 
tionate sympathy. Thus qualified, the orator will speak 
instinctively and exactly as all true men would feel, 
speak, and act in the circumstances he anticipates or 
describes. In all inspired eloquence, the results will be 
identical in kind, but diversified in degree, tinged with 
the individuality of the orator, and measured as to 
its influence by the depth and durability of his actual 



WILLIAM C. PRESTON. 407 

emotions. For instance, iEschylus was a Marathonian 
hero — Sophocles a philosopher ; and their works exactly 
comport with their respective characters. 

Webster and Preston used to sit close to each other 
in the American Senate. How unlike ! Listeninsj to 
one, is like going from solemn, swelling music, into a 
stately sculpture-gallery, w^here you are surrounded with 
god-like forms, which give you the impression of dis- 
tinct proportion and severest beauty, and which yet, by 
their majesty, bsnd you low in awful reverence. The 
other resembles an Italian parterre in full bloom, melo- 
dious with sparkling fountains, embellished with graceful 
vases and dancing fawns, redolent of sweet odors, and 
resounding with happy voices chatting and singing 
near, while the volcano burns on the view, and a fear- 
ful thunder-gust is beginning to obscure the sun. 



CHAPTER IX. 



THOMAS COR WIN, 

THE NATURAL ORATOR, 

To sketch the life of Mr. Corwin, analyze his mind, 
and describe his person, constitute the general purpose 
of this chapter, the execution of which will be attempt- 
ed under these three general heads. 

In the first place, it will be desirable to present such 
biographical facts as are requisite to elucidate the public 
career of the distinguished orator of Ohio, and in doing 
this, we shall rely mainly on the accuracy and refined 
taste of William Green, Esq. of Cincinnati. An article 
from his pen contributed to the American Review, Sept. 
1847, gives the following details : — 

" Thomas Corwin was born in Bourbon county, Ken- 
tucky, July 29th, 1794. At the age of four years, he 
was made a permanent resident of Ohio, by the removal 
of his parents to Warren county, in that State, in the 
year 1798. His father, for many years, was one of the 
most respectable and honored men of Ohio. For a 
long time a member of the legislature of the State, he 
was distinguished for the dignity and impartiality with 
which he presided, for several years, over its upper 




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THOMAS CORWIN. 409 

branch. The son was, and is worthy of the father. 
The early pursuits of the former were of the humble 
kind; suited to a position entirely unpretending, and 
admirably calculated, under the influence of the consist- 
ent presence of a virtuous example, to establish in the 
early character the foundations of tlie highest future 
usefulness. As might be supposed, from the influence 
of such early associations, instantly acting upon a 
strong and sensitive mind, it is not surprising that 
uncompromising firmness, and integrity of character, 
should everywhere be associated with his name, among 
the companionships and neighborhoods of his early life. 
"The community in which he was educated, and 
where are to be found his warmest friends, because there 
he is best known, were not less sensible of his talents 
than of his virtues. His mind was early accustomed 
to habits of thought ; and thus fitted him, at an early 
day, to exert a decided influence upon those around 
him, in concerns of a general public interest. It may 
be said of him, as of but few others, comparatively 
speaking, that he was grounded and formed in the prin- 
ciples calculated to render a public man eminently 
useful, before he became one. Instead of waiting for 
public life to teach him lessons, he thoroughly learned in 
private life what could not fail to fit him for a public 
one. This learning in him was associated with a uni- 
form and unyielding adherence to abstract truth ; and, 
therefore, doubtless it is, that in a public career of 
some twenty-two or three years, he has always been on 
the same side of jji^inciple, whenever, in occasional 
issues with political friends, it has been supposed to be 
18 



410 LIVING ORATORS IN -.MERICA 

in conflict with expediency. Such a character in Mr, 
Corwin, which made him an early object ^f attention to 
the people of his neighborhood, is happily destined to do 
credit to a political career ; and he had passed but a 
short period the constitutional age of eligibility, when he 
was elected to the House of Representatives of Ohio. 

" His career as a Representative in the State Legisla- 
ture, though short, was characterized by the marks of 
independence, uprightness, and eloquence, which have 
given him so much distinction since. Those who knew 
him intimately twenty years ago, express no surprise at 
his course on the Mexican question, at the last session 
of Congress. Nor were they surprised that that course 
was vindicated by an effort of argument and eloquence 
such as the country or the world has rarely witnessed. 
On a smaller theatre, the same sort of power, both 
moral and intellectual, had been seen before, and with 
something of the same effort : for, if we remember 
rightly, his high tone in vindication of a great and car- 
dinal abstract right, in the Legislature of the State. 
placed him for a short season in a sort of cloud with 
the friends with whom he generally acted. But his 
election to Congress, a short time after, showed that the 
cloud was only a passing one, and that he was all the 
stronger with a discriminating people ; that he had 
dared, in the honest conviction that he was right, to 
brave the ordeal of a temporarily-opposing public senti- 
ment. 

" Mr. Corwin's career in Congress was of nine years' 
continuance. He resigned his seat after the first session 
of the last term, in consequence of being made the can- 



THOMAS CORWIN. 411 

didate for Governor of Ohio. His course in Concrress, 
was that of a careful, thoughtful, conscientious man. 
His appearance in debate was rare, but always effec- 
tive. The announcement of his name was an assur- 
ance of profound stillness in the House. That stillness 
continued while he occupied the floor, except as it was 
sometimes broken by demonstrations of excitement, 
such as wit, argument, and eloquence like his must oc- 
casionally produce. 

" Mr. Corwin's career as Governor of Ohio was limited 
to a single term of two years. His position, under the 
Constitution, which makes the executive office merely 
nominal, was one rather of dignity than of power; and 
afforded him but little opportunity for the exhibition of 
those talents for which his course in other positions has 
shown him so remarkable. 

" His election to the Senate of the United States, by 
the Whig party, against a competition in its own ranks, 
which was, of itself, high honor, was perhaps the truest 
and highest expression that could have been given of 
the estimation in which he was held by the people of 
Ohio, and especially by the Whig party." 

From this brief biographical review, we proceed, 
secondly, to portray Mr. Corwin's mental character, and 
remark that his mind appears to be eminently unso- 
phisticated by pedantry, unshackled by prejudice, and 
un terrified by power. 

In the first place few minds have been developed in 
public life, adorning the highest functions with learning 
exact and varied, that have so constantly maintained an 
air entirely foreign to everything like pedantic display. 



412 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

His erudition is copious, but unostentatious ; and his task is 
all the more infallible, because it is the legitimate offspring 
of nature, educated by propriety. Learning is used by 
him as means, not as an end ; moral grandeur, native 
and indestructible, rises spontaneously from his soul, and 
this is as superior to all pedantic artificialness, as the 
perfected temple is superior to the chippings that lie 
about, or the scaffolding soon to be thrown down. If 
man is constantly seen in his work, what he produces 
will be of little value. He cannot have too much sci- 
entific accuracy or literary embellishment, but these 
should be felt rather than seen. When scholastic 
phrases abound more than the spirit of wisdom, they 
are the signs of a debased, mistaken, and false style of 
eloquence. " The skill of the artist, and the perfection 
of his art, are never proved until both are forgotten." 
Only that which is true to the structure and wants of 
the soul is potent and perpetual in its influence thereon ; 
since, as Cicero intimates, time obliterates the conceits 
of opinion or fashion, and establishes the verdicts of 
nature. 

He who is destined to become a great and beneficent 
orator, will early learn not only to see minutely the 
general laws which govern the human mind, but by 
critical observations in the outward world, and profound 
self-analysis, he becomes master of those nice traits bv 
which different classes are individualized, and hence can 
palpably portray the hopes and feelings of all bosoms, — 
like the Arabian Magician, he holds a polished mirror to 
our gaze, wherein we behold not ourselves and the pre- 
sent only, but the thought? and emotions of the past, 



THOMAS CORWm. 413 

scenes the most remote, and characters the most diver- 
sified. Men thus endowed will touch most sensibly a 
mixed audience, as well as interest, to the greatest de- 
gree, the most refined. Not only his graver productions 
will the erudite enjoy, but, in common with the unso- 
phisticated masses, they will keenly rulish his lighter 
and more homely strains, according to the account 
given of such works by the inimitable master of wisdom 
and naturalness : 

"They were old and plain, 
The spinsters and the knitters in the sun, 
And the free maids that weave their thread with bones 
Did use to chaunt them." 

Candidates for public life are often very solicitous to 
obtain at the outset a bbld position suitable for the dis- 
play of their fine acquirements ; but those are sure to 
be most successful who seek rather to deserve popular 
favor than to forestall it. "Do not trouble yourself too 
much about the light on your statue," said Michael An- 
gelo to the young sculptor; "the light of the public 
square will test its value." It is not in proportion to 
the dry shells of knowledge gathered in the isolated clois- 
ter that a public character is to be estimated, but by the 
living and practical energies he has cultivated in actual 
conflicts with opposing elements and impetuous mankind. 
Let the aspirant strive most of all to he somebody, in 
head and heart, and there is no danger but the world 
\\\\\ soon appreciate his real worth. Whatever is 
natural, true, and good, never long fails of being sincerely 
and universally esteemed. Why is it that admiration for 



414 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

works of consun mate excellence is undiminished by dis- 
tance or time ; that masterpieces excite the same feelings 
now as when they were first created, and are regarded 
with the same rapture on the banks of the Seine, the 
Thames, the Hudson, or the Ohio, as when they sancti- 
fied the temples of Athens, ennobled the martial trophies 
of Rome, or adorned the gardens of Florence? It is 
because they are imbued with those elements of truth 
which pervade the human soul and, the universe of God. 
Works of this stamp are scarce, but they are never 
trite. For instance, the frequent mention of most wri- 
ters soon palls on the mind, but the world has not yet 
grown tired of Shakspeare's name or thoughts. His 
volumes areUke that of nature, and we can turn to them 
perpetually without weariness or disgust : — 

" Age cannot wither, nor custom stale 
His infinite variety." 

Sydenham has beautifully said, whosoever describes 
a violet exactly as to its color, taste, smell, form, and 
other properties, will find the description agree in most 
particulars with all the violets in the world. It is the 
same in eloquence : he who can most lucidly express a 
truthful emotion from his own heart will most strongly 
affect the largest audience. Men differ less in sense 
than in sentiment; he who draws from his intellect 
only may be understood by a limited class whose 
mental conceptions correspond ; but he who embodies 
in plain language his own naturally excited sensibilities, 
will be immediately felt and appreciated by all mankind. 



THOMAS CORVVIN. 415 



If one would be perpetually interesting he must be 
perpetually varied. Certain medicines tend to produce 
immediate and profuse perspiration, but if continued 
too long, they relax the system and fatally congeal the 
fountain of life. It is the same with unnatural excite- 
ment or insipid monotony. It is necessary to be neat 
without being fantastic, and free without carelessness. 
Simplicity of diction is a grand merit, infinitely trans- 
cending all artificial trickery, or stately, stilted march of 
language. Johnson well observed that Cato's Soliloquy 
is an instance to prove that the most solemn and 
elevated thought may be, in the most impressive man- 
ner, conveyed in language of the utmost simplicity. 
Pedantic ostentation, and assumed grimace are super- 
latively contemptible when compared with real wisdom 
and honest passion. When the tragedian of Athens 
moved all hearts as he clasped the burial urn and burst 
into broken sobs, there were few, perhaps, who knew 
that it held the ashes of his own son, but all were 
thrilled by his real emotion thus produced. When the 
feelinir is that of nature, and tones are truthful, all kin- 
dred natures melt, and tears are spontaneously com- 
mingled from all hearts. 

In the second place, Mr. Corwin's mind is unshackled 
by prejudice, as well as unsophisticated by pedantry. 
Truthfulness to his own premeditated convictions 
seems to constitute its presiding principle and prolific 
force. His chief volume is man, his teacher truth, his 
school society at large : therein he has learned to draw 
the subtle discriminations of mental action in every 
stage of life, and amongst every class of mankinii In 



416 



LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 



those happy inspirations in which Mr. Corwin does not 
so much come to nature, as nature comes to him, he 
transmits her features hke a lucid glass, unmodified by 
factitious tints or stains. He is powerful because he is 
true, expressing frankly and fearlessly what he distinctly 
sees and acutely feels : hence his sentiments wind 
resistlessly through the wards of human hearts, stealing 
their incarnate strength to conquer passion and ignoble 
prejudice. Spontaneous energy and instinctive grace ol 
manner poise his language and exalt his argument, in a 
mode peculiar to himself, and which equally surprises 
the fancy, persuades the judgment, and affects the heart. 
He is less skilled in the refinements of art, than in the 
power of catching the passions as they rise in the 
breast, or escape from the lips of nature herself This 
is the grand talisman of oratorical mastership — 

" Which, like the fabled stone, conceived of fire, 
Son of the sun, transmutes all seen to soul." 

Mr. Corwin has ever cherished large and inspiring 
views of life. His mind, in its philosophical excursions, 
is not manacled by a wretched faith in obsolete formu- 
las ; but believes in the moral progress of the human 
race, possesses a strong sympathy with all its lofty aspi- 
rations, and is consecrated to the beneficent task of 
crushing great evils, and mitigating acute pangs. The 
heaven-strung chords of man's immortal soul are all 
free within him, to vibrate at the slightest sigh breathed 
from sorrowing hearts, and it is from this inimitable and 
inexhaustible source within that he draws those diversi- 
fied chains of thrilling power which so strikingly charac- 



THOMAS CORWIN. 417 

terize his living speech. Man is not a being of thou^^ht 
only, but also of feeling ; he is a whole, composed of 
various related powers, and to this susceptible unity, 
the aggregate of multifarious variety, the orator must 
speak with correspondent tones, if he would hope to 
persuade. Then words, like enchanting hieroglyphics, 
interpreted by the flames kindled at the chief .source of 
passion, glide through the eye, strike charmingly on the 
ear, stir up the mind, take captive the imagination, 
besiege the understanding, and conduct the listener 
through delicious conviction to confirmed belief. Mr. 
Corwin's mind may be symbolized by the bee, not when 
cramped and cringing in his self-built, narrow cell; but 
pursuing a bright and brave Hfe upon the wing among 
flowers. Conventionalities never cripple him in the 
presence of duty, but he darts forward natural and free. 

" As morning wind, with wing fresh wet, 
Shakes dew out of the violet." 

No great and lasting reputation was ever gained in 
any department of mental excellence, but by a close 
and correct representation of reality. Great artists, 
writers, and speakers are universally admired only as 
they penetrate to the deep substratum of natural charac- 
ter, which, however disguised and modified by local 
circumstances, is in essence everywhere the same. It 
is only as the voice of nature, the vernacular tongue of 
all our race, speaks through mental creations, that they 
are endowed with the highest and most attractive 
worth ; as it was only when the Spirit of God moved 
upon the face of the deep, that order, beauty, and sub- 
18* 



418 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

limity stood revealed to the world. Homer pleases, 
wherever the springs of social life are pure ; and is 
read with delight by all classes, in almost every culti- 
vated language, because he is true to the emotions of 
all. He takes us at once into the Grecian councils ; 
walks directlv on the banks of Scamander : deals in 
real armies and real heroes. We see Paris going out 
to battle like the war-horse prancing to the river side ; 
the wife, the mother, in natural anxiety ; or, most 
touching of all, the aged and mourning father a sup- 
pliant at the feet of the youthful hero who destroyed 
his son. And how did the greatest bard of modern 
times people the fancies of his readers, and guarantee 
to himself perpetual influence but, as Jeffrey suggests, 
" in the delicate sensibility with which he has traced, 
and the natural eloquence with which he has pointed 
out that fond familiarity with beautiful forms and im- 
ages — that eternal recurrence to what is sweet or ma- 
jestic in the simple aspects of nature — that indestruct- 
ible love of flowers and odors, and dews and clear 
waters, and soft airs and sounds, and bright skies, and 
W'Oodland solitudes, and moonlight bowers, which are 
the material elements of poetry — and that fine sense of 
their undefinable relation to mental emotion, which is 
its essence and vivifying soul — and which, in the midst 
of Shakspeare's most busy and atrocious scenes, falls 
like gleams of sunshine on rocks and ruins — contrast- 
ing with all that is rugged and repulsive, and reminding 
us of the existence of purer and brighter elements ! — 
which HE ALONE has poured out from the richness of 
his own mind, without effort or restraint; and contrived 



THOMAS CORVVIN. 419 

to intermingle with the play of all the passions, and the 
vulgar course of this world's affairs, without deserting 
for an instant the proper business of the scene, or ap- 
pearing to pause or digress, from the love of ornament 
or need of repose ! — He alone, who, when the object 
requires it, is always keen and worldly and practical — 
and who yet, without changing his hand, or stopping 
his course, scatters around him, as he goes, all sounds 
and shapes of sweetness — and conjures up landscapes 
of immortal fragrance and freshness, and peoples them 
with spirits of glorious aspect and attractive grace — 
and is a thousand times more full of fancy, and imagery, 
and splendor, than those who, in pursuit of such en- 
chantments, have shrunk back from the delineation of 
character or passion, and declined the discussion of 
human duties and cares. More full of wisdom, and 
ridicule, and sagacity, than all the moralists and satirists 
that ever existed — he is more wild, airy, and inventive, 
and more pathetic and fantastic, than all the poets of 
all resions and ao-es of the world : — and has all those 
elements so happily mixed up in him, and bears his high 
faculties so temperatel}^ that the most severe reader can- 
not complain of him for want of strength or of reason— 
nor the most sensitive for defect of ornament or inge- 
nuity. Everything in him is in unmeasured abundance, 
and unequalled perfection— but everything so balanced 
and kept in subordination, as not to jostle or disturb 
or take the place of another. The most exquisite 
poetical conceptions, images, and descriptions, are 
given with such brevity, and introduced with such 
skill, as merely to adorn, without loading the sense 



420 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

they accompany. Although his sails are purple and 
perfumed, and his prow of beaten gold, they waft him 
on his voyage not less, but more rapidly and directly, 
than if they had been composed of baser materials. All 
his excellencies, like those of Nature herself, are thrown 
out together ; and, instead of interfering with, support 
and recommend each other. His flowers are not tied up 
in garlands, nor his fruits crushed into baskets — but 
spring living from the soil, in all the dew and freshness 
of youth ; while the graceful foliage in which they lurk, 
and the ample branches, the rough and vigorous stem, 
and the wide-spreading roots on which they depend, 
are present along with them, and share in their places, 
the equal care of their Creator." 

Boileau compressed much meaning in his memorable 
verse, that "nothing is beautiful but what is natural." 
The way to write and speak in words and tones that 
will effectively and universally impress, is to write and 
speak sincerely. That alone can impel which God has 
made powerful — truth and honesty. Life only imparts 
life, and by true utterances alone are indeljble impres- 
sions produced. An eye that can see, an ear that can 
hear, a heart that can feel, and a resolution that dares 
follow the convictions of truth in the path of nature ; 
these are the grand characteristics of true eloquence, 
and its chief creators. He who makes nature his con- 
stant and intimate companion, will thereby take all the 
world into a delighted companionship, and will have 
power to sway them when or where his purposes 
may lead. It is the blending of theory and practice, 
abstract reason and simole sense, nroducing consummate 



THOMAS COR WIN. 421 

worth ; to which union in the highest eloquence, we 
may apply the answer of Polixenes, in the Winter's 
Tale, to Perdita's neglect of the streaked gilly-flowers, 
because she had heard it said, 

" There is an art which in their piedness shares 
With great creating nature. 

Pol. Say there be : 
Yet nature is made better by no mean, 
But nature makes that mean. So ev'n that art, 
Which you say adds to nature, is an art 
That nature makes ! You see, sweet maid, we marry 
A gentler scion to the wildest stock : 
And make conceive a bark of ruder kind 
By bud of nobler race. This is an art, 
Which does mend nature— change it rather; but 
The art itself is nature." 

The bases of the arts touch each other, and the same 
fundamental principle presides over all. History deli- 
neated on canvas, and eloquence speaking from the 
printed page or fervid lips, are governed by the same 
general rules. Burke, who best felt and in a good de- 
gree exemplified this truth, said, " The painter who 
wishes to make his pictures (what fine pictures ought 
to be), nature elevated and improved, must first gain a 
perfect knowledge of nature as she is : before he makes 
men as they ought to be, he must know how to make 
them as they are ; he must acquire an accurate know- 
ledge of all the parts of the body and countenance. To 
know anatomy will be of little use, unless physiology 
and physiognomy are joined to it." Again — 

" Works of real merit are produced by a laborious 



422 LIVING ORATORS IN A MERICA. 

and accurate investigation of natui'e upon the princi- 
ples observed by the Greeks — first, to make themselves 
thoroughly acquainted with the common forms of na- 
ture, and then, by selecting and combining, to form 
compositions according to their own elevated concep- 
tions. 

" This is the true principle of poetry and painting. 
Homer and Shakspeare had perhaps never seen charac- 
ters so strongly marked as Achilles and Lady Macbeth, 
and yet we feel those characters are drawn from nature ; 
the limhs said features are those of common nature, but 
elevated and improved !" 

The greatest masters have one great decided beauty 
in their works. Their figures, whether in action, or 
repose, or expression, always appear to be the uncon- 
scious agents of an impulsion they cannot help ; the 
spectator is never drawn aside from what they are 
doing by any artificial ness in them, as if they labored 
most to show how grand or graceful they are. They 
seem impelled by an impulse they cannot control ; their 
heads, hands, feet, and bodies, instinctively put them- 
selves into positions the best adapted to execute the 
spontaneous intentions of the mind. All studied grace 
is unnatural, as is seen in children who are naturally 
graceful until they learn to dance. 

True genius is geniality, a power universally felt, 
though happily expressed but by few. Its voice is al- 
ways recognized, and its humblest whisper is heard wide 
over all the world in a thousand thrilling airs. This 
spirit of genuine eloquence is not the work of intellect 
merely, but the finer breath of the soul, roused and radi- 



THOMAS CORWIN. 423 

ant with the hopes, fears, and joys which lend this mor- 
tal life its greatest passion and power. Thus Cowper 
through his " Task," Burns through his ballads, and 
Corwtn through his popular addresses, find an immedi- 
ate echo in every human bosom, because they indite 
things pertaming to humanity in a human manner. 
Their meaning always dwells in their language, in secret 
sanctity and unobscured charms, "like a golden toy mid 
Beauty's orbed bosom," and yet, simple as are the words, 
from the innate nobility of the ideas, how gracefully 
dignified are the sentiments, how powerful in their in- 
fluence on both head and heart. Therein is most 
strikingly verified the saying, that " One touch of Nature 
makes the world of kin." The highest types of charac- 
ter are always marked by honest, unpretending, manly 
simplicity of genius, and habits of life, which not only 
excite admiration, but confidence and love. True 
power is always real, and not artificial. When men 
labor hard to appear like simple, humble, and honest 
people, their affectation immediately betrays the paucity 
of their talents and the hypocrisy of their purpose. 
The result is something which, as Ninon de I'Enclos 
said of the young Marquis de Sevigne, has very much 
the character of fricasseed snow, and is utterly destruc- 
tive of all effective eloquence. In the following lines, 
Faust gives excellent counsel to every public speaker : 

"Good sense and truth are good enough for men. 
Hast anything to say ?• Out with it, then ! 
And the more natural the style, the better. 
Your pompous words, your phrases nicely join'd, 
Will find the people deaf as any adder 



424 LIVING ORATORS IN AM.2RICA. 

They're but dry leaves, that rustle in the wind, 
No comfort for the soul ; — peas in a bladder." 

We have said that the mind of Mr. Corwin is neither 
sophisticated by pedantry, nor shackled by prejudice; 
v^e remark, thirdly, that it is eminently unterrified by 
power. His mental independence is his most prominent 
trait. It was this that early and rapidly led him to dis- 
tinction. He did not wait for the pedantic routine 
usually deemed indispensable for admission to the temple 
of fame, but boldly forged his own keys, entered, and at 
once took possession of a conspicuous niche. From 
the outset he scorned to appear as the tame imitator of 
the veterans he encountered, but was first their mag- 
nanimous emulator, and then speedily a triumphant rival. 
Mr. Corwin is habitually neither fawning nor fierce ; he 
is true. In his speech, there is never arrogant assump 
tion, no flourish of trumpets as if to introduce some- 
thing splendid, but all is calmly resolute and moves on in 
an easy, natural course. It is a style which tends to ex- 
cite healthfully and purify our common human nature 
and elevate it, by working on the instincts and tenden- 
cies co-extensive with the race. He bears a transparent 
bosom, is courteous to all adversaries, but never fails to 
call things by their right names. Most orators are people 
who talk, and not prophets divinely inspired. But true 
eloquence is not a body merely ; it is a soul so vital and 
creative, that it does not so much take a form as make 
one, and adorns the world it has come to move. It is 
the pungent expression of those thoughts to which the 
universe is nearest allied, and most clearly celebrates, 
not in symbols only but substance, not in showy forms 



THOMAS CORWIN. 425 



but serene almightiness. Every sentiment and the lan- 
guage in which it is clothed, is fresh as a new morn, 
grand like the soul whence it arose, and luminous as the ' 
meridian sun. 

We will here present some specimens which will ex- 
emplif}^ the three points mentioned above, in the analy- 
sis of Mr. Corwin's mind. The first abounds in pure 
wit, and occurs in the author's vindication of the ven- 
erated Harrison from the attack of Gen. Crary, of Mich- 
igan. That gentleman, on the 14th of February, 1810, 
in a debate on the Cumberland Road in Congress, seized 
the occasion to enlighten mankind with his views of 
Gen. Harrison's deficiencies as a military commander, 
his mistakes at Tippecanoe, &c. &c. &c. Mr. Corwin 
replied in a torrent of humor, sarcasm, and ridicule, which 
completely overwhelmed his victim, and led John 
Quincy Adams a few days after to refer to him as 
"the late Mr. Crary." The following passage will give 
some idea of the scathing wit which prevails through 
the whole speech : 

"In all other countries, and in all former times, a gen- 
tleman who would either speak or be listened to on the 
subject of war, involving subtle criticisms and strategy, 
and careful reviews of marches, sieges, battles, regular 
and casual, and irregular onslaughts, would be required 
to show, first, that he had studied much, investigated 
fully, and digested the science and history of his subject. 
But here, sir, no such painful preparation is required : wit- 
ness the gentleman from Michigan ! He has announced 
to the House that he is a militia general on the peace 
establishment ! That he is a lawyer we know, tolerably 



426 



LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 



well read in Tidd's Practice and Aspinasse's Nisi Prius 
These studies, so happily adapted to the subject of war, 
with an appointment in the militia in time of peace, fur- 
nish him at once with all the knowledge necessary to 
discourse to us, as from high authority, upon all the mys- 
teries of the ' trade of death. ' Again, Mr. Speaker, it must 
occur to every one, that we, to whom these questions are 
submitted and these military criticisms are addressed, be- 
ing all colonels at least, and most of us, like the gentle- 
man himself, brigadiers, are, of all conceivable tribunals, 
best qualified to decide any nice points connected with 
military science. I hope the House will not be alarmed 
with the impression that I am about to discuss one or 
the other of the military questions now before us at length, 
but I wish to submit a remark or two, by way of prepar- 
ing us for a proper appreciation of the merits of the dis- 
course we have heard. I trust as we are all brother-of- 
ficers, that the gentleman from Michigan, and the two 
hundred and forty colonels or generals of this honorable 
House, will receive what I have to say as coming from 
an old brother in arms, and addressed to them in a spirit 
of candor, 

'Such as becometh comrades free, 
Reposing after victory.' 



" Sir, we all know the military studies of the military 
gentleman from Michigan before he was promoted. 1 
take it to be beyond a reasonable doubt that he had pe- 
rused with great care the title-page of 'Baron Steuben.* 
Nay, I go further ; as the gentleman has incidentally as- 
sured us that he is prone to look into musty and neglected 



THOMAS CORWIN. 427 

volumes, I venture to assert, without vouching in the least 
from personal knowledge, that he has prosecuted his re- 
searches so far as to be able to know that the rear 
rank stands right behind the front. This I think is fairly 
inferable from what I understood him to say of the two 
lines of encampment at Tippecanoe. Thus we see, Mr. 
Speaker, that the gentleman from Michigan, being a 
militia general, as he has told us, his brother officers, in 
that simple statement has revealed the glorious history 
of toils, privations, sacrifices, and bloody scenes, through 
which, we know from experience and observation, a 
militia officer, in time of peace, is sure to pass. We all 
in fancy, now see the gentleman from Michigan in that 
most dangerous and glorious event in the life of a militia 
general on the peace establishment — a parade day ! That 
day, for which all the other days of his life seem to have 
been made. We can see the troops in motion — umbrellas, 
hoes, and axe handles, and other like deadly implements 
of war, overshadowing all the field : when, lo! the leader 
of the host approaches! 

* Far off his coming shines : ' 

" His plume which, after the fashion of the great Bour- 
bon, is of awful length, and reads its doleful history in the 
bereaved necks and bosoms of forty neighboring hen- 
roosts. Like the great Suwaroff, he seems somewhat 
careless in forms or points of dress ; hence his epaulettes 
may be on his shoulders, back, or sides, but still 
gleaming, gloriously gleaming, in the sun. Mounted he 
is, too, let it not be forgotten. Need I describe to the 
colonels and generals of this honorable House, the steed 



428 LIVING (RA.TORrf IN AMERICA. 

which heroes bestride on these occasions? No! 1 see 
the memory of other days is with you. You see before 
you the gentleman from Michigan, mounted on his crop- 
eared, bushy-tailed mare, the singular obliquity of 
whose hinder limbs is best described by that most 
expressive phrase, ' sickle hams' — for height just four- 
teen hands, 'all told;' yes, sir: there you see his 
' steed that laughs at the shaking of the spear ;' that 
is his war horse ' whose neck is clothed with thunder.' 
Mr. Speaker, we have glowing descriptions in history 
of Alexander ihe Great and his war-horse Bucephalus, 
at the head of the invincible Macedoniari phalanx; but, 
sir, such are the improvements of modern times that 
ever}^ one must see that our militia general, with his crop- 
eared mare, with bushy tail and sickle ham, would 
totally frighten off a battle-field a hundred Alexanders. 
But, sir, to the history of the parade-day. The general, 
thus mounted and equipped, is in the field, and ready for 
action. On the eve of some desperate enterprise, such 
as giving order to shoulder arms^ it maybe, there occurs 
a crisis, one of those accidents of war, which no sagacity 
could foresee nor prevent. A cloud rises and passes 
over the sun ! Here is an occasion for the display of 
that greatest of all traits in the history of a commander — 
the tact which enables him to seize upon and turn to good 
account unlocked for events as they arise. Now for 
the caution wherewith the Roman Fabius foiled the 
skill and courage of Hannibal ! A retreat is ordered, 
and troops and general, in a twinkling, are found safely 
bivouacked in a neighboring grocery. But even here 
the general still has room for the execution of heroic 



THOMAS CORWIN. 429 

deeds. Hot from the field, and chafed with the heroic 
events of the day, your general unsheathes his trenchant 
blade, eighteen inches in length, as you will remember, 
and with energy and remorseless fury he slices the 
water-melons that lie in heaps around him, and shares 
them with his surviving friends. Others of the sinews 
of war are not wanting here. Whiskey, Mr. Speaker, 
that great leveller of modern times, is here also, and the 
shells of the water-melons are filled to the brim. Here 
again, Mr. Speaker, is shown how the extremes of bar- 
barism and civilization meet. As the Scandinavian 
heroes of old, after the fatigues of war, drank wine from 
the skulls of their slaughtered enemies, in Odin's halls, 
so now our militia general and his forces, from the 
skulls of the melons thus vanquished, in copious draughts 
of whiskey assuage the heroic fire of their souls, after a 
parade-day. But, alas for this short-lived race of ours ! 
all things will have an end, and so it is even with 
the glorious achievements of our general. Time is on 
the wing, and w^ill not stay his flight; the sun, as if 
frightened at the mighty events of the day, rides down 
the sky, and ' at the close of the day, when the hamlet 
is still,' the curtain of night drops upon the scene, 

' And Glory, like the phoenix in its fires, 
Exhales its odors, blazes and expires.' " 

To this we may subjoin an extract which exemplifies 
the efTective combination of severe attributes with the 
lighter graces of oratory. Oratorical power of the first 
order exists only when the serious and the sportive are 
symmetrically joined. In such a consummation, as 



430 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

in the bard of Avon, we find a strong, unostentatious 
master, who is able, with perfect ease and certainty, 
without formal reasoning, subtilizing and classifying his 
ideas, to seize with confident hand, whatever is true or 
false in man, and express it in a manner the most natural, 
forcible, and just. His attitudes, motions, and sentiments 
will be graceful and effective, because they are poised by 
nature and impelled by truth. Fresh as a spouting 
spring among the hills, his heart leaps out to life, and his 
accents are everywhere greeted with delight, because he 
speaks the world's one tongue. What he utters is of 
''nature's flow not art's; a fountain's, not a pump's." 

No man can long command an attentive hearing, who 
has not the power of captivating the imagination. This 
he will best accomplish by commingling an official, 
elaborated, Ciceronian, admirative style, with one more 
conversational, anecdotical, and jocular. The aggregate 
will be conceived and fashioned according to popular 
ideas and tastes, and speaks at once to the senses and 
understandings of the great commonality. Such a style 
assumes a lyric flexibility, and becomes the very mirror 
and echo of the human soul. The charm arises not so 
much from the originality inherent in eternal ideas, as 
from the simple earnestness they develop, the exalted 
sentiments they breathe, and the exquisite naturalness of 
their expression. No composition can be beautiful or 
natural without variety, or even without contrast ; but 
care must be taken to prevent variety from degenerating 
into inconsistency, and contrast into contradiction. 
With this precaution each distinguished part will make 
a separate impression, and while all bear the same stamp, 



THOMAS CORWIN. 431 

concurring towards the same end, every portion is an 
additional support and adornment to the prevailing idea. 
Such alternations of smoothness and ruggedness, form- 
^ing a picturesque naturalness of style, affects an audience 
much Hke the excitement produced by the intricacies of 
wild romantic mountainous scenes, wherein curiosity, 
while it prompts us to scale every rocky promontory, 
and explore every new recess, by its salubrious exercise 
keeps the fibres of the body excited to their full tone, 
and the mind perpetually on the stretch. Thus exer- 
cised, the enraptured observer drinks in all that in na- 
ture is brilliant or pure, all that in feeling is sacrea 
or sublime. This in turn produces eloquence, which no 
more palls on the popular taste, than the mountainous 
billows of the sea in their playfulness grow weary of 
the wind. It is this coquetry of nature which makes 
her beauty more amusing, more varied, and more playful, 
but also not *' less winning soft, less amiably mild." It is 
the spirit of mightiest conquests, as attractive as it is 
potent : 

" Like the blush of love upon the cheek, , 

Or the full feeling lightening through the eye, 
Or the quick music in the chords of harps." 

But to the extracts we promised. The following are 
from the great speech against the Compromise Bill, 
which Mr. Corwin delivered in the United States Sen- 
ate, July 24th, 1848 ; and which the reporter said " swept 
like a consuming fire through the dry grass, under a high 
wind, destroying in its flames arguments, appeals, au- 
thorities, compromises— leaving the whole question in the 



432 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

naked form of the admission or exclusion of slavery." 
We have to regret that our limits will not admit the 
whole production. 

" You say this land was conquered by the common 
blood of the country ; you trace back the consideration 
which you have paid for this country to the blood and 
the bones of the gallant men that you sent there to be 
sacrificed; and pointing to the unburied corpses of her 
sons who have fallen there, the South exclaims: 
* These — these constitute my title to carry my slaves to 
that land ! It was purchased by the blood of my sons.' 
The aged parent, bereft of his children, and the widow 
with the family that remains, desire to go there to bet- 
ter their fortunes, if it may be, and pointing to the 
graves of husband and children, exclaim : ' There — there 
was the price paid for our proportion of this territory!' 
Is that true ? If that could be made out— if you dare put 
that upon your record — if you can assert that you hold 
the country by the strong hand, then you have a right 
to go there with your slaves. If we of the North have 
united with vou of the South in this expedition of piracy, 
and robbery, and murder, that oldest law known among 
men — ' honor among thieves' — requires us to divide it 
with you equally. [Laughter and subdued applause.] 
Nay, more, it is only a fitting finale to that infernal 
tragedy, that after having slaughtered fifty thousand hu- 
man beings, in order to extend your authority over these 
one hundred and fifty thousand, the murder should be 
followed by the slavery of every one that can be made 
subject to the law of power. 
"Sir, if it be true that you hold this territory by con- 



\ 



THOMAS CORWIN. 433 

quest, you hold it precisely by the same right that the 
Virp;iiiian holds his slave to-day, and by no other. You 
have stolen the man, and with the strong hand torn him 
from his own home — part of his family you have killed, 
and the rest you have bound in chains and brought to 
Virginia! Then, in accordance with the brand which 
it seems the Almighty has impressed upon poor woman 
—lyartus sequitur ventrem — you condemn to Slavery, to 
the remotest posterity, the offspring of your captive ! 
It is the same right originally in both cases. This right 
of conquest is the same as that by which a man may 
hold another in bondage. You may make it into a law 
if you please : you may enact that it may be so : it may 
be convenient to do so : after perpetrating the original 
sin, it may be better to do so. But the case is not al- 
tered ; the source of the right remains unchanged. 
What is the meaning: of the old Roman word Servus ? 
I profess no great skill in philological learning, but I can 
very well conceive how somebody looking into this 
thing, might understand what was the law in those days. 
The man's life was saved when his enemy conquered 
him in battle. He became servus — the man preserved 
by his magnanimous foe; and perpetual slavery was then 
thought to be a boon preferable to death. That was the 
way in which slavery began. Has anybody found out on 
the face of the earth a man fool enough to give himself up 
to another, and besj him to make him his slave ? I do not 
know of one such instance under heaven. Yet it may 
be so. Still I think that not one man of my complexion 
of the Caucasian race could be found quite willing to do 
that ! 

19 



434 LIVING ORATORS OF AMERICA. 

" This right, which you are now asserting to this coun* 
try, exists in no other foundation than the law of force, 
and that was the original law by which one man appro- 
priated the services and will of another to himself. Thus 
far we have been brought after having fought for this 
country and conquered it. The solemn appeal is made 
to us — ' Have we not mingled our blood with yours in 
acquiring this country ?' Sure, my brother ! But did 
we mingle our blood with yours for the purpose of wrest- 
ing this country by force from this people ? That is the 
question. You did not say so six months ago. You 
dare not say so now ! 

"You may say that it was purchased, as Louisiana or 
as Florida was, with the common treasure of the coun- 
try ; and then we come to the discussion of another pro- 
position : What right do you acquire toestabhsh slave- 
ry there ? But I was about to ask of some gentleman— 
the Senator from S. C. for instance, whose eye at 
a glance has comprehended almost the history of the 
w^orld — what he supposes will be the history of this, our 
Mexican war, and these our Mexican acquisitions, if 
we should give it the direction which he desires? I do 
not speak of the propriety of slave labor being carried 
anywhere. I will waive that question entirely. What 
is it of which the Senator from Vermont has told us this 
morning, and of which we have heard so much during 
the last three weeks ? Every gale that floats across the 
Atlantic comes freighted with the death groans of a 
King; every vessel that touches our shores bears with 
her tidings that the captives of the Old World are at 
last becoming free — that they are seeking, through blood 



THOMAS JORWIN. 435 

and slaughter— blindly and madly, it may be, but never- 
theless resolutely— deliverance from the fetters that 
have held them in bondage. Who are they? The 
whole of Europe. And it is only about a year ago, I 
believe, that that officer of the Turkish Empire who 
holds sway in Tunis, one of the old slave markets of the 
world, whose prisons formerly received those of our peo- 
ple taken upon the high seas and made slaves to their 
captors— announced to the world that everybody should 
there be free. And, if I am not mistaken, it will be 
found that this magic line which the Senator from S. C. 
believes has been drawn around the globe which we in- 
habit, with the view of separating Freedom and Slave- 
ry — 36® 30, brings this very Tunis into that region in 
which by the ordinance of God men are to be held in 
bondage! All over the world the air is vocal with the 
shouts of men made free. What does it all mean ? It 
means that they have been redeemed from political ser- 
vitude ; and in God's name I ask, if it be a boon to man- 
kind to be free from political servitude, must it not be 
accepted as a matter of some gratulation that they have 
been relieved from absolute subjection to the arbitrary 
power of others ? What do we say of them ? I am 
not speaking of the propriety of this thing ; it may be all 
wrong, and these poor fellows in Paris, who have stout 
hands and willing hearts, anxious to earn their bread, 
may be very comfortable in fighting for it. It may be 
all wrong to cut off the head of a King or send him 
across the Channel. The problem of Free Government, 
as we call it, is not, it seems, yet solved. It may be 
highly improper and foolish in Austria and Germany to 



436 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

send away Metternich and say, ' We will look unto this 
business ourselves.' According to the doctrine preached 
in these halls — in free America — instead of sending 
shouts of congratulation across the water to these people, 
we should send to them groans and commiseration for 
their folly, calling on them to beware how they take this 
business into their own hands — informing them that 
universal liberty is a curse; that as one man is born 
with a right to govern an Empire, he and his posterity 
(as Louis Philippe of Orleans maintained when he an- 
nounced that his son should sit on the throne when he 
left it) must continue to exercise that power, because in 
their case it is not exactly partes sequitur ventrum, 
but partes sequitur pater — that is all the difference. 
[Laughter.] The Crown follows the father! Under 
your law the chain follows the mother! [Subdued 
manifestations of feeling.] 

" It was a law in the Colonies about '76 that Kings 
had a right to govern us. George Guelph then said 
' partes sequitur par — My son is born to be your ruler. 
And at the very time when Virginia lifted up her hand 
and appealed to the God of justice— the common father 
of all men — to deliver her from that accursed maxim and 
its consequences, that one man was born — as Jefferson 
said — booted and spurred to ride another, it seems that 
by the Senator's account of it, she adhered to another 
maxim, to wit : that another man should be born to serve 
Virginia. I think this maxim of Kings being born to 
rule, and others -being born only to serve, are both of 
the same family, and ought to have gone down to the 
same place ; hence, I imagine, they came, long ago, to- 



THOMAS CORWIN. 437 

gether. I do not think that yonr pai^ttis sequitixr ven- 
trem had much quarter shown it at Yorktown on a cer- 
tain day you may remember. 1 think that when the 
Hon of England crawled in the dust, beneath the talons 
of your eagles, and Cornwallis surrendered to Geor^re 
Washington, that maxim, that a man is born to rule, 
went down, not to be seen among us again forever, and 
I think thsit partus scquitu?^ ventrem, in the estimation of 
all sensible men, disappeared along with it. So the men 
of that day thought. And we are thus brought to the 
consideration of the proper interpretation of that lan- 
guage of those men which has been somewhat criticized 
by the Senator from South Carolina. What did they 
mean when they said in the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, that all men are born equally free? They had 
been contending that, if we on this side of the water 
were to be taxed by the Imperial Parliament of England, 
we had a right to say who should represent us in that 
Parliament. I need not refer gentlemen to the argu- 
ments then advanced. I need not refer the Senator^ 
from Virginia to his own local history, which informs 
him that, throughout the whole Revolutionary period, 
the people in all the shires and towns were meeting and 
passing resolutions, as that book of American Archives 
that you have authorized to be perpetuated, will show 
you, complaining to the Crown of England of the im 
portation of slaves into this country. And why did they 
complain ? Let their own documents tell their own story 
Then men in that generation, in Virginia, in Connecti 
cut — as the Senator before me will see by referring tc 
that book in MS. — everywhere throughout the Colo- 



438 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

nies, said — ' While we are contending for the common 
rights of humanity, against the Crown of England, it does 
not become us to enslave men and hold them in slavery.' 
They objected to the introduction of slaves into this 
countrv through the intervention of the slave-trade, be- 
cause it was a wrong perpetrated upon the slave himself, 
and especially because it prevented the settlement of the 
country by artizans, mechanics, and laboring husband- 
men. I venture the assertion that not three counties in 
the State of Virginia can be named in which resolutions 
of that character were not passed. 

" In 1784, not far from this Capitol, where we are now 
engaged in talking about the transfer of the slave-trade 
to the shores of the Pacific ocean, there was a meeting 
in Fairfax, at which one George Washington, Esq., pre- 
sided. Some young gentlemen may know something of 
him. He was a tobacco-planter, sir, at Mount Vernon. 
The resolutions passed on that occasion declared the in- 
tention of the meeting to refrain from purchasing any 
.slaves, and their determination to have nothing to do 
with the slave-trade — because the introduction of slaves 
into this country prevented its settlement by free whites. 
This, then, was the opinion in Virginia at that time ; and 
it was the opinion in Georgia too." 

Farther on, he remarks : 

" Thank God, though all should fail, there is an infalli- 
ble depository of truth, and it lives once a year for three 
months in a little Chamber, below us ! We can go 
there. Now I understand my duty here to be, to ascer- 
tain what constitutional power we have, and when we 
have ascertained that, without reference to what the Su- 



THOMAS CORWIN. 439 

preme Court may do — for they have yet furnished no 
guide on the subject — we are to take it for granted that 
they will concur with us If the Court does not concur 
with us, 1 agree with gentlemen who have been so lost in 
their encomiums upon that Court, that their decision, 
whether right or wrong, controls no action. But we have 
not hitherto endeavored to ascertain what the Supreme 
Court would do. I wish then to ascertain in what mode 
this wonderful response is to be obtained — not from that 
Delphic Oracle, but from that infallible divinity, the Su- 
preme Court. How is it to be done ? A gentleman 
starts from Baltimore, in Maryland, with a dozen black 
men who have been partes sequitur ventrum burnt into 
their skins and souls all over ; he takes them to Califor- 
nia, three thousand miles off. Now I don't know hov/ 
it may be in other parts of the world, but I know that in 
the State of Ohio it is ordained that the law is carried to 
every man's door. What then is the admirable contri- 
vance in this bill by which we can get at the meaning 
of the Constitution ? We pray for it, we agonize for it, 
w^e make a law for it, and that it may be speedily 
known— for, if not speedily known, it may as well never 
be known ; if slavery goes there and remains there for 
one year, according to all experience, it is eternally. Let 
it but plant its roots there, and the next thing you will 
hear of will be the earnest appeals about the rights of 
property. It will be said : ' The Senate did not say we 
had no right to come here. The House of Representa- 
tives, a body of gentlemen elected from all parts of the 
country on account of their sagacity and legal attam- 
ments, did not prohibit us from coming here. I thought 



440 LIVIR G ORATORS OF AMERICA. 

I had a right to come here: the Senator from South 
Carolina said I had a right to come ; the Hon. Senator 
from Georgia said I had a right to come here ; his col- 
leagues said it was a right secured to me somewhere 
high up in the clouds and not belonging to the world ; 
the Senator from Mississippi said it was the ordinance 
of Almighty God ; am I not then to enjoy the privileges 
thus so fully secured to me ? I have property here ; 
several of my women have borne children, who have 
partus sequitur ventrem born with them ; they are my 
property.' Thus the appeal will be made to their fellow- 
citizens around them ; and it will be asked, whether you 
are prepared to strike down the property which the set- 
tler in those territories has thus acquired? That will 
be the case unless the negro from Baltimore, when he 
gets there and sees the Peons there — slaves not bv 
partus sequitur ventrem, but by a much better title — a 
verdict before a Justice of the Peace — should determine 
to avail himself of the admirable facilities afforded him 
by this bill for gaining his freedom. 

" Suppose my friend from New Hampshire when he 
goes home, gets up a meeting and collects a fund for the 
purpose of sending a missionary after these men ; and 
when the missionary arrives there he proposes to hold a 
prayer meeting, he gets up a meeting as they used to do 
in Yankee times, 'for the improvement of gifts.' He 
goes to the negro quarter of this gentleman from Balti- 
more, and says : ' Come, I want brother Cuffee ; it is true 
he is a son of Ham, but I want to instruct him that he 
is free.' I am very much inclined to think that the mis- 
sionary would fare very much as one did in South Caro- 



THOMAS CORWIN. 44] 

lina, at the hands of him of Baltimore. S;>, you see, the 
negro is to start all at once into a free Anglo-Saxon in 
California; the blood of Liberty flowing in every vein, 
and its divine impulses throbbing in his heart. He is 
to say : ' I am free ; I am a Californian ; I bring the right 
of habeas corpus with me/ Well, he is brought up on 
a writ of habeas corpus — before whom? Very likely 
one of those gentlemen who have been proclaiming that 
slavery has a right to go there ; for such are the men 
that Mr. Polk is likely to appoint. He has prejudged 
the case. On the faith of his opinion the slave has been 
brought there : what can he do ? There is his recorded 
judgment printed in your Congressional Report; what 
will he say ? ' You are a slave. Mr. Calhoun was right. 
Judge Berrien, of Ga., a profound lawyer, whom I 
know well, was right. I know these gentlemen well; 
their opinion is entitled to the highest authority, and in 
the face of it, it does not become me to say that you are 
free. So, boy, go to your master ; you belong to the class 
partus sequititr ventre7n : you are not quite enough ot a 
Saxon.' What then is to be done by this bill? Oh ! a 
writ of error or appeal can come to the Supreme Court 
of the United States. How ? The negro, if he is to be 
treated like a white, taking out an appeal, must give 
bonds in double the value of the subject matter in dis- 
pute. And what is that ? If you consider it the mer- 
cantile value of the negro, it may be perhaps $1,000 or 
$2,000. But he cannot have the appeal according to 
this bill, unless the value of the thing in controversy 
amounts to the value of $2,000. But, then, there comes 
in this ideality of personal liberty; what is it worth? 
19* 



442 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Nothing at all — says the Senator from South Carolina — 
to this fellow, who is better without it. And under all 
this complexity of legal quibbling and litigation, it is ex- 
pected that the negro will stand there and contend with 
his master, and coming on to Washington, will prosecute 
his appeal two years before the Supreme Court, enjoy- 
ing the opportunity of visiting his old friends about Bal- 
timore!" 

One more quotation from this admirable speech must 
suffice : — 

" I had almost believed, after hearing the beautiful, 
romantic, sentimental narration of the Senator from 
Mississippi, that God had indeed, as he said, made this 
people in Africa to come over here and wait upon us, 
till the Senator from Florida waked me up to a recollec- 
tion of the old doctrines of Washington and Jefferson, 
by assuring that wherever that patriarchal institution 
existed, a rigid police should be maintained, in order to 
prevent the old women from cutting the throats of 
somebody ! It is then a very ' peculiar ' institution ! 
Those who live under it cannot exist a day without 
caresses ; and on the next, they must provide scores 
of constables with clubs in their hands, to keep them 
from cuttino; each other's throats ! 

" I do not wish to extend that institution into these 
Territories. Is it pretended that Slave labor could be 
profitable in Oregon or California. Do we expect to 
grow cotton and sugar there ? I do not know that it 
may not be done there ; for as the gentleman from New 
York has told us, just as you go west upon this conti- 
nent, the same line of latitude changes very much, so 



THOMAS CORWIN. 443 

that you may have a very different isothermal line as 
you approach the Pacific Ocean. But I do not care so 
much about that ; my objection is a radical one to the 
institution everywhere. I do believe, if there is 
any- place on the globe which we inhabit where a white 
man cannot work, he has no business there. If that 
place is fit only for black men to work, let black men 
ajpn,e. work there. I do not know any better law for 
man's good than that old one which was announced to 
man after the first transgression, that by the sweat of 
his brow he should earn his bread. I don't know what 
business men have in the world unless it is to work. If 
he is only to sleep and eat, he is reduced to the level of 
the hog — the only gentleman I know ! 

" When you ask me, then, not to prohibit slavery in 
these territories, with my view of the institution itself, 
and of our power, I must assert the power to exclude 
slavery forever. In your States where you have made 
slavery property, you may protect it as you please, and 
I will aid you in giving it that security which the Con- 
stitution affords ; but, with God's help, not one inch 
beyond shall this institution go. I may be mistaken in 
all this ; but of one thing I am satisfied— of the honest 
conviction of my own judgment— and no supposed 
interruption of the ties which bind the various seetions 
of the Confederacy shall induce me to shrink from 
these convictions, whenever I am called upon to carry 

them out into law." 

Shakspeare may well be excused for seeking in the 
Roman senate what he knew all senates could furnish— 
a buffoon. By this remark, we do not imply that Mr. 



444 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

Corwin bears that character. No man mingles more 
dignity with his wit, and no one can be more courteous 
in his severity. He is the incarnation of humor enno- 
bled by reason, and more than any other orator alive, 
abounds in those happy hits that "snatch a grace 
beyond the reach of art," as in the froth formed on the 
mouth of Jalysus' hound by a lucky dash from the 
sponge of Protogenes. His productions flow with a 
freedom and prodigality, as if they cost him nothing ; 
and this air of original animation is attended by a cor- 
respondent spirit of facile but accurate execution. 
Such properties will always attract attention, and com- 
mand admiration, despite palpable faults. It is of neces- 
sity a popular style. The freedom of its flow, the 
vividness of its colors, and energy of signification, 
contribute to excite and keep alive the most eager in- 
terest. The speaker appears to have perfect confidence 
in himself, and at once inspires his audience with the 
assured expectation of being regaled with both novelty 
and wisdom. 

The subjoined specimen is after Mr. Corwin's more 
dignified and classical manner. It teems with the 
results of much reading, is imbued with high moral 
principle, and radiates with the most impressive elo- 
quence. It is taken from an early and famous speech 
he made in the Senate on the Mexican war : — 

"Mr. President, this uneasy desire to augment our 
territory has depra red the moral sense, and blighted the 
otherwise keen sagacity of our people. What has been 
the fate of all nations who have acted upon the idea 
that they must advance ? Our young orators cherish 



THOMAS CORWIN. 445 

this notion with a fervid, but fatally mistaken zeal.— 
They call it by the mysterious name of ' destiny.' ' C)ur 
destiny,' they say, ' is onward ;' and hence they argue, 
with ready sophistry, the propriety of seizing upon any 
territory and any people, that may lie in the way of our 
'fated' advance. Recently these i)rogressives have 
grown classical ; some assiduous student of antiquities 
has helped them to a patron saint. They have wan- 
dered back into the desolated Pantheon, and there, 
among the Polytheistic relics of that ' pale mother of 
dead empires,' they have found a god, whom these Ro- 
mans, centuries gone by, baptized ' Terminus.' 

" Sir, I have read much, and heard somewhat of this 
gentleman. Terminus. Alexander, of whom I have 
spoken, was a devotee of this divinity. We have seen 
the end of him and his empire. It was said to be an 
attribute of this god, that he must always advance and 
never recede. So both republican and imperial Rome 
believed. It was, as they said, their destiny ; and for a 
while it did seem to be even so. Roman Terminus did 
advance. Under the eagles of Rome, he was carried 
from his home on the Tiber, to the farthest East on one 
hand, and to the far West, among the then barbarous 
tribes of Western Europe, on the other. But at length 
the time came when retributive justice had become * a 
destiny.' The despised Gaul calls out to the contemned 
Goth, and Attila, with his Huns, answers back the 
battle-shout to both. The 'blue-eyed nations of the 
North,' in succession of united strength, pour forth their 
countless hosts of warriors upon Rome and Rome s 
always advancing god, Terminus. And now the battle- 



446 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

axe of the barbarians strikes down the conquering eagle 
of Rome. Terminus at last recedes ; slowly at first, 
but finally he is driven to Rome, and from Rome to By- 
zantium. Whoever would know the farther fate of this 
Rx)man deity, so lately taken under the patronage of 
American Democracy, may find ample gratification of 
his curiosity in the luminous pages of Gibbon's Decline 
and Fall. Such will find that Rome thought as you 
now think, that it was her destiny to conquer provinces 
and nations, and, no doubt, she sometimes said as you 
say, * I will conquer a peace.' And where now is she — 
the mistress of the world ? The spider weaves his web 
in her palaces; the owl sings his watch-song in her 
towers. Teutonic power now lords it over the servile 
remnant, the miserable memento of old and once om- 
nipotent Rome. Sad, very sad, are the lessons which 
time has written for us. Through and in them all, I 
see nothing but the inflexible execution of that old law, 
which ordains as eternal the cardinal rule, 'Thou shalt 
not covet thy neighbor's goods, nor anything which is 
his.' Since I* have lately heard so much about the dis- 
memberment of Mexico, I have looked back to see how, 
in the course of events, which some call ' Providence,' 
it has fared with other nations, who engaged in this 
work of dismemberment. I see that in the latter half 
of the eighteenth century, three powerful nations, Rus- 
sia, Austria, and Prussia, united in the dismemberment 
of Poland. They said, too, as you say, ' It is our des- 
tiny.' They ' wanted room.' Doubtless each of these 
thought, with his share of Poland, his power was too 
strong ever to fear invasion or even insuH. One had 



THOMAS CORWIN. 447 

his California ; another his New Mexico ; and a third 
his Vera Cruz. Did they remain untouched and incap- 
able of harm? Alas! no; far, very far from it. Ret- 
ributive justice must fulfil its destiny, too. A very few 
years pass off, and we hear of a new man, a Corsican 
Lieutenant, the self-named * armed soldier of Democra- 
cy,' Napoleon. He ravages Austria, covers her land 
with blood, drives the Northern Caesar from his capital, 
and sleeps in his palace. Austria may now remember 
how her power trampled upon Poland. Did she not pay 
dear, very dear, for her Cahfornia ? 

" But has Prussia no atonement to make ? You see 
this same Napoleon, the blind instrument of Providence, 
at work there. The thunders of his cannon at Jena 
proclaim the work of retribution for Poland's wrongs ; 
and the successors of the Great Frederick, the drill- 
sergeant of Europe, are seen flying across the sandy 
plains that surround their capital, right glad if they 
may escape captivity and death. But how fares it 
with the Autocrat of Russia? Is he secure in his share 
of the spoils of Poland? No; suddenly we see, Sir, 
six hundred thousand armed men marching to Moscow. 
Does his Vera Cruz protect him now? Far from it. 
Blood, slaughter, desolation, spread abroad over the 
land, and finally, the conflagration of the old commer- 
cial metropolis of Russia closes the retribution she 
must pay for her share in the dismemberment ot her 
weak and impotent neighbor. Mr. President, a mind 
more prone to look for the judgments of Heaven m the 
doings of men than mine, cannot fail in this to see the 
Providence of God. AVhen Moscow burned, it seemed 



448 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

as if the earth was lighted up, that the nations might 
behold the scene. As that mighty sea of fire gathered 
and heaved and rolled upward, and yet higher, till its 
flames licked the stars, and fired the whole heavens, it 
did seem as though the God of the Nations was writing 
in characters of flame on the front of his throne, that 
doom that shall fall upon the strong nation which tram- 
ples in scorn upon the weak. And what fortune awaits 
him, the appointed executor of this work, when it was 
all done ? He, too, conceived the idea that his destiny 
pointed onward to universal dominion. France was 
too small — Europe, he thought, should bow down before 
him. But as soon as this idea took possession of his 
soul, he, too, became powerless. His Terminus must 
recede, too. Right there, while he witnessed the humil- 
iation, and, doubtless, meditated the subjugation of Rus- 
sia, He who holds the winds in His fist, gathered the 
snows of the North, and blew them upon his six thou- 
sand men ; they died — they froze — they perished. And 
now the mighty Napoleon, who had resolved on uni- 
versal dominion, he, too, is summoned to answer for the 
violation of that ancient law, * Thou shalt not covet 
anything which is thy neighbor's.' How are the mighty 
fallen ! He, beneath whose proud footsteps Europe 
trembled, he is now an exile at Elba, and now finally a 
prisoner on the rock of St. Helena — and there on a 
barren island, in an unfrequented sea, in the crater of 
an extinguished volcano, there is the death-bed of the 
mighty conqueror. All his annexations have come to 
that ! His Jast hour is now come ; and he, the man of 
destiny, he who had rocked the world as with the throes 



THOMAS CORWIN. 449 

of an earthquake, is now powerless— still— even as the 
beggar, so he died. On the wings of a tempest that 
raged with unwonted fury, up to the throne of the 
only Power that controlled him while he lived, went the 
fiery soul of that wonderful warrior, another witness to 
that eternal decree, that they who do not rule jn ri<rht- 
eousness shall perish from the earth. He has found 
' room ' at last. And France, she, too, has found ' room.' 
Her eagles now no longer scream along the banks of 
the Danube, the Po, and the Borysthenes. They have 
returned home to their old eyrie, between the Alps, the 
Rhine, and the Pyrenees. So shall it be with yours. 
You may carry them to the loftiest peaks of the Cor- 
dilleras — they may wave in insolent triumph in the Halls 
of the Montezumas — the armed men of Mexico mav 
quail before them ; but the weakest hand in Mexico, 
uplifted in prayer to the God of justice, may call down 
against you a power, in the presence of which the iron 
hearts of your warriors shall be turned into ashes. 

" Mr. President, if the history of our race has estab- 
lished any truth, it is but a confirmation of what is 
written, * The way of the transgressors is hard.' Inor- 
dinate ambition, wantoning in power, and spurning the 
humble maxims of Justice has — ever has — and ever 
shall end in ruin. Strength cannot always trample 
upon weakness — the humble shall be exalted — the bowed 
down will at length be lifted up. It is by faith in the 
law of strict justice, and the practice of its precepts, 
that nations alone can be saved. All the annals of the 
human race, sacred and profane, are written over with 
this great truth, in characters of living light. It is my 



450 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

fear, my fixed belief, that in this invasion, this war with 
Mexico, we have forgotten this vital truth. Why is it 
that we have been drawn into this whirlpool of war ? 
How clear and strong was the light that shone upon the 
path of duty a year ago! The last disturbing question 
with Eingland was settled — our power extended its 
peaceful sway from the Atlantic to the Pacific ; from 
the Alleghanies we looked out upon Europe, and from 
the tops of the Stony Mountains w^e could descry the 
shores of Asia ; a rich commerce with all the nations of 
Europe poured wealth and abundance into our lap on 
the Atlantic side, while an unoccupied commerce of 
three hundred millions of Asiatics waited on the Pacific 
for our enterprise to come and possess it. One hundred 
milions of dollars will be wasted in this fruitless war. 
Had this money of the people been expended in making 
a railroad from our Northern Lakes to the Pacific, as 
one of your citizens has begged of you in vain, you 
would have made a highway for the world between 
Asia and Europe. Your capital then would be within 
thirty or forty days' travel of any and every point on 
the map of the civilized world. Through this great 
artery of trade, you would have carried through the 
heart of your own country the teas of China, and the 
spices of India, to the markets of England and France. 
Why, why, Mr. President, did we abandon the enter- 
prises of peace, and betake ourselves to the barbarous 
achievements of war ? Why did we forsake this fair 
and fertile field to batten on that moor ? 

" But, Mr. President, if further acquisition of terri- 
tory is to be the result either oi conquest or treaty, then 



I 



THOMAS CORWIN. " 451 

I scarcely know which is to be preferred, eternal war 
with Mexico, or the hazards of internal commotion 
at home, which last, I fear, may come, if another pro- 
vince is to be added to our territory. * * * We 
stand this day on the crumbling brinA of that gulf— we 
see its bloody eddies wheeling and boiling before us — 
shall we not pause before it be too late? How plain 
again is here the path, I may add the only way of duty, 
of prudence, of true patriotism ! Let us abandon all 
idea of acquiring farther territory, and, by consequence, 
cease at once to prosecute this war. Let us call home 
our armies, and bring them at once within our own 
acknowledged limits. Show Mexico that you are sin- 
cere when you say that you desire nothing by con- 
quest. She has learned that she cannot encounter you 
in war ; and if she had not, she is too weak to disturb 
you here. Tender her peace, and, my life upon it, she 
will then accept it. But whether she shall or not, you 
will have peace without her consent. It was your 
invasion that made war, your retreat will restore peace. 
Let us, then, close forever the approaches to internal 
feud, and so return to the ancient concord and the old 
ways of national prosperity and permanent glory. Let 
us here, in this temple consecrated to the Union, per- 
form a solemn lustration ; let us wash Mexican blood 
from our hands, and on these altars, in the presence of 
that image of the Father of his Country that looks down 
upon us, swear to preserve honorable peace with all the 
world, and eternal brotherhood with each other." 

We have presented a biogiaphical sketch of Thomas 
Corwin, and attempted to anaxyze his oratorical charac- 



452 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

ter. It remains, briefly to describe his person; and this 
we will do by glancing first at his physical form, and 
then at his moral constitution. 

It is of great advantage for a public speaker to be en- 
dowed with what is called presence — a commanding 
form and conciliating demeanor ; and this Mr. Corwin 
possesses to an eminent degree. " The eye is made the 
fool of the other senses, or else worth all the rest." An 
audience loves to repose its gaze upon him who ad- 
dresses them, reading dignity in his aspect as well as 
catching inspiration from his lips. Unfortunately many 
a fine intellect is shrouded in an uncouth body, looking 
"as if some of nature's journeymen had made them, 
and not made them well." But not so with our orator. 
The graceful magnitude of his outer man comports 
with the compact and yet flexile firmness of the soul 
within. He is above medium height, of muscular make, 
agile limbs, and erect attitude. His features are full, 
ingenuous in their habitual expression, and — not abso- 
lutely black. His brows are broad, open, and massy, 
the fit throne of mighty thought. Like his hair, his 
eyes are dark, clear, and piercing ; generally mild in 
their look, but sometimes filled with a deadly irony, 
which it is impossible to describe, in some burlesque 
lines on the treatment of Regulus by the Carthagenians, 
the rhymester comes nearest to an exact description of 
Mr. Corwin's look when it is assumed : 

" His eyelids they pared ; 
how he stared !" 

In common conversation, and in ordinary debate, 



THOMAS CORWIN. 453 

Mr. Corwin wears an aspect cheerful and attractive to 
the last degree ; but when dealing in fiery argument or 
stinging sarcasm, the language of his features exactly 
corresponds with his avowed sentiments and adds a 
fearful significancy to their force. A flash of exuha- 
tion often plays over his countenance when he observes 
how the winged shaft has taken effect, and with wh.it 
tenacity it sticks to his writhing victim. The quiver or 
curl of his lip, the dropping of his chin, the fantastic 
rolling of his eyes, and the mock pathos of his tones, 
as he utters some mortal sneer, is comical beyond con- 
ception except to those who have seen him speak. It is 
really astonishing with what distinctness he can say a 
given sentiment and look directly the opposite, and 
the side glance of his twinkling eye — the unmistakable 
interpretation given by his facial muscles will contra- 
dict with overpowering drollery and emphatic eloquence 
the words that instant on his lips. In all such instances 
the efl^ect is designed, and is a trait of power in this 
orator which no living master can approach. It is easy 
to perceive the triumph of sagacious humor in his look, 
even before he speaks ; feats of exquisite sportiveness, 
in which pleasantry and utility are felicitously combined, 
and executed by the most perfect master of forensic 
mirth, creating roars of merriment in which all gravity 
is overwhelmed and the most demure risibles convulsed. 
He will enunciate ridicule in a dry laugh, multiply it in 
a thousand extemporized wrinkles all over his sombre 
visage, suggest it in every form and direction through 
sardonic chuckles and twinkling looks, darting from his 
speaking face more fatal jests than are clothed in words. 



454 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

and yet embodying downright sarcasm in the plainest 
language enough to scarify any common skin. And 
yet, what is still more strange, there is no appearance 
of malice in all this. Mr. Corwin seeks no noisy ap- 
plause by his occasional bitterness, and the plaudits 
which continually attend the popular appreciation of 
his grotesque wit, as well as sterling argument, appear 
to afford him gratification only so far as comprehensive, 
beneficent, and enduring results are achieved. He 
seldom exasperates, though he always keenly excites ; 
there is so much courtesy mingled in all his severity, 
that the subject of his lash is obliged to laugh while he 
smarts. His pangs are mitigated, however, by the re- 
flection that they are inflicted by superior talent as 
magnanimous as it is keen, and not by harsh and un- 
couth imbecility. This is a grand consolation, since it 
is much more dignified and tolerable to endure the paw 
of a lion than the hoof of an ass. 

It should not be inferred from the above remarks, that 
Mr. Corwin's greatest forte lies in the use of small arms 
in forensic warfare. He is never so great as when he 
addresses himself to analytical reasoning and severe 
deduction. It is true he can play at will his virgin fan- 
cies wild ; he has mastered the great secret of nature, 
having learned her manner, and with rapture tasted her 
style ; his bold imagination can skillfully touch the very 
limits which it dares not pass, careering with supreme 
dominion over all kingdoms of emotion and thought ; 
yet is he the most powerful and self-possessed when in 
the forum of rigid debate, dealing logic on fire all around. 
One of the first lawyers in Ohio has frequently assured 



THOMAS coRwm. 455 

the writer that Mr. Corwin excels all his acquaintances 
in the knowledge of mental philosophy and the science 
of legitimate argument. With Promethean power he 
can give life to the cumbrous mass of precedents accu- 
mulated by plodders, throw an intellectual splendor over 
images opaque to ordinary minds, and at the same time 
lay bare the soul of passion, as well as rivet conviction 
on the most stubborn understanding. His wit is that 
of a manly, independent spirit ; his cheerfulness that of a 
generous, feeling heart. His natural vitality of soul, 
Diogenes turn of dialectics, and inexhaustible humor, 
sustain his energy in all toils and render him fearful to 
all foes. He is a man "replete with mocks, full of com- 
parisons and wounding flouts ;" but the chief reason 
why -his protection is courted by the weak and dreaded 
by the mighty is, that behind lighter skirmishing, he 
plies mental artillery of the largest calibre and most 
destructive force. Alternate action and repose, playful 
squibbing and irresistible broadsides, afford their adroit 
possessor a versatility of power which few can either 
anticipate or resist. And yet nothing is more foreign 
from artificialness. His speech takes a natural growth, 
and his oratorical triumph is perfected much as Milton 
described : 

"So from the ground 
Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves 
More airy, last the bright consummate flower. " 

Having already passed in our description from the 
physical attributes of Mr. Corwin, to his intellectual and 
moral character, we will dwell yet a little longer on this 



456 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

last point. In his mental productions we see trails that 
correspond to the appearances of material elements and 
natural scenes, striking contrasts in form, color, light, and 
shadow; sunbeams bursting through a small opening in a 
dark wood, a rainbow against a stormy sky, meadows 
fragrant and lovely with flowers on one hand, groves 
prostrated by tempests, and mountain peaks scathed by 
lightnings on the other. His style is insinuating and 
pungent, not abrupt or petulant, but full of those capti- 
vating transitions, which, while they surprise into more 
absorbing curiosity, seldom repel by acrimonious denun- 
ciation, but keep up an increasing interest, insensibly 
wind round the heart, and lead the judgment to convic- 
tion and repose. Having witnessed the effects of his 
address on a popular audience, you feel that his task 
was not executed by mechanical means, that he not 
only has taste, but genius and invention, and that his 
spirit, like Hotspur's, had "lent a fire e'en to the dullest 
peasant." 

That orator will have the greatest public power who 
lives nearest to infinity by throwing wide open all the 
avenues of his being to whatever is beautiful, and true, 
and grand around him. If ethereal tides swell and circu- 
late through every artery and vein, energizing his soul 
and clarifying his vision, his thoughts will be vivid like 
the fulminations of heaven, and his expressions will re- 
verberate in thunder tones, startling and distinct to 
every ear. Of this stamp is Thomas Corwin. He excels 
most statesmen, in this respect among many others— he 
knows when to speak and when to be silent. That is the 
wisest of men, who not only can create superior works, 



THOMAS CORV\^IN. [j-J 

but can perceive when his task is done. The knowled'Tc 
when to stop, left Scylla nothing to fear, though disarm- 
ed ; the want of this knowledge, gave Caesar to the dag- 
ger of Brutus. The great orator of Ohio says plainer 
things, and does bolder deeds, than any other senator ; 
yet is he the last to violate any rule of propriety, ofiend 
any one of true dignity, wink at any private injustice or 
public wrong. Such a man can neither be praised nor 
insulted; he is above the fulsomeness of the selfish and 
the malignity of the mean. 

Says the excellent judge of character, from whom we 
quoted in the beginning of this chapter, "Mr. Corwin's 
private life, from boyhood up, has been marked by the 
strictest virtue and the most stainless honor. His pro- 
fessional career, as a part of it, has been distinguished 
for benevolence and justice. His social qualities are of 
the highest order, and impart the happiest influence upon 
all who are so fortunate as to enjoy the advantages of 
them. Few men excel him in colloquial power, or in 
the range of intelligence to make it the most attractive. 
His life has been one of laborious study, and his mind 
is highly charged with useful learning and well-digested 
principles. He has read much, and with careful dis- 
crimination—applying the most careful thought of his 
own mind in the speculations of others. However, his 
opinions on all subjects are uniformly his own. No 
man is more unpretending in his attainments, or more 
modest in exhibiting them; but, at the same time, no 
man can be more decided in resisting the prescriptions of 
mere authority. His mind, in its philosophic spirit, is 
formed mainly on the principle of self-reliance ; and he 
20 



458 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

values and uses learning rather as a means to help him 
think than to supply him with thoughts. It is, however, 
high proof in favor of the principles of any party or 
category with which he may sympathize and act, that 
they have been thoroughly thought out by him from their 
simplest elements, and finally adopted by him as ascer- 
tained truths. He allows no mere party reasons for his 
convictions, and wants no party aid for their support. 

" As a public speaker, Mr. Corwin is gifted far above 
the ordinary standard of parliamentary experience. 
His manner is perfectly self-possessed — his thoughts 
flow forth in the most lucid forms : his language is in 
the purest taste — always strong, though frequently in a 
high degree erratic. In all his efforts, whether of the 
more elaborate or of the'lighter kind, he fixes attention 
in the outset, and holds it, unbroken, to the end. It is, 
evidently, one of the secrets of his power, that he 
knows when he has exhausted a subject, and where to 
stop. He is so clear in his conceptions, and exact in 
his arrangement of them, that he never repeats himself; 
and hence never offends, as do many of the best speak- 
ers, by occasional indications of a want of thorough 
understanding of their own minds. 

" In the mixed walks of eloquence, when under the 
excitement of a great subject, and a grand and respon- 
sible occasion for the discussion of it, Mr. Corwin often 
exhibits powers which could hardly be excelled. He 
has moments of intense strength, in which he seems to 
rise, unconsciously, high above his own ordinary level, 
and to wield with almost superhuman power the grand- 
est thoughts; setting them forth in the sublimest image'" 



THOMAS CORVVIN. 459 



and clothing them in the most beautiful forms of speech. 
On occasions that properly admit of the application of 
the higher powers of wit, his efforts are unrivalled. 
His quick perception of the weak points of an adver- 
sary's position, and, if open to ridicule, his ready asso- 
ciation of them with the most grotesque forms of ex- 
posure, give often, even to his grave speeches, a force 
and influence which the severest logic would utterly 
fail to give. The amiable and gentlemanly temper, 
moreover, with which he exerts these high and even 
dangerous powers, saves him from all hazard of giving 
personal offence in the application of them, and it is 
proverbially said of him, that the object of his satire is 
usually among the most entertained of those who listen 
to it. The treat is too rich to be quarrelled with, even 
bv the victim whom it would annihilate. 

" But, after all, the most striking and captivating fea- 
ture in his speaking, is, that he allows no doubt in his 
auditory of the entire sincerity of what he is saying. 
It is a man uttering great and important truths under 
the impulses of deep conviction, and not a mere de- 
claimer or advocate, who would produce effect for an 
occasion. And this great feature of Mr. Corwiii's 
speaking, which stands out so prominently in every 
speech he makes, no matter what the audience, the 
place, or the occasion, is the necessary result of that self- 
culture, which, in his habitual studies, keeps the watches 
of an honest and conscientious heart in constant com- 
pany with the labors of a clear, serene, and self-poised 

mind. 

"As a writer, Mr. Corwin's pursuits have never 



460 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. 

required of him to make any especial exhibitions — 
though those who enjoy the privilege of his correspond- 
ence know that his occasional discussions in the exact 
forms of writing, are not inferior to his more accus- 
tomed efforts of the forensic kind. He writes as he 
speaks ; in a style of the purest taste and most direct 
expression, wnth all the earnestness of deep conviction, 
and the consciousness that he has something to say. 

" Mr. Corwin is not an ambitious man, in any low or 
vulgar sense. His whole life has proved his aspirations 
to be of the loftiest and purest kind. The high places 
he has so long occupied in public affairs, seem to come 
to him as a matter of course. He has been no seeker 
after them ; and has submitted to none of the com- 
promises of self-respect, so sadly common in our coun- 
try, to obtain them. Deeply studied in the institutions 
of his country, and profoundly animated with the sen- 
timent of patriotism that would administer and maintain 
them in their true strength and purity, he has occupied 
such positions in relation to them as were perfectly na- 
tural, and such as it would have been a kind of moral trea- 
son, in a man of his gifts, to have declined. His ambition 
is to be eminently useful ; and if the marks of public 
confidence which have been so lavishly bestowed upon 
him, are to be regarded as proofs, his ambition has not 
been without success. 

" We have thus spoken of Mr. Corwin, and in no 
spirit of adulation, nor with any purpose of gaining to 
him any artificial or fictitious importance before the na- 
tion. We have spoken, because that such a man 
should be talked and written about, and made known to 



THOMAS CORWIN. 4(32 

the nation. It is quite obvious that his position as a 
man, and as an American statesman, is now high. Jt 
is destined to be higher— not, perhaps, in outward rank, 
but in that depth and universaUty of public esteem and 
eMance, which are the fruit of many and arduous tri.-ils, 
and a long life of single-hearted devotion to principle. 
Be these trials ever so many or so arduous, thev will 
leave unsullied the lofty name, unspotted the steadfast 
soul, of Thomas Corwin." 

The "Queen City" will long remember that after- 
noon of Monday, Oct. 9th, 1848, when the announce- 
ment that " Tom Corwin" was to speak in a large open 
space in one of the suburbs, had an effect in emptying 
the busiest quarters very like the approach of the fasci- 
nating queen of Egypt: 

" The city cast 
Her people out upon her; and Antony, 
Enthron'd in the market-place, did sit alone, 
Whistling to the air j which, but for vacancy, 
Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too, 
And made a gap in nature." 

The vast area of seats arranged for the audience was 
filled by ladies alone, while beyond, in every direction, 
further than the most powerful voice could reach, 
crowds were compactly standing in rapt attention, lis- 
tening from carriages, peering through windows, bend- 
ing from balconies and roofs, or clinging to trees and 
^ag-staffs, while banners waved above, eyes sparkled, 
and irrepressible cheers resounded all around. 

Mr. Corwin spoke for a long time, and more than 
once was on the point of closing when the multitudes 



462 LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. ) ^ 

compelled him still to proceld. The scene was every 
way exceedingly impressive. There was no filmy 
cloud to break the softness of the west, where the sun 
sank like a globe of molten gold, radiating to the 
zenith, flashing from cloud to cloud, and blending in 
one massy sheet over the vast and glowing concave. 
The beautiful coronet of hills which encompass Cincin- 
nati, gloriously tinted with autumnal foliage, were then 
doubly resplendent in the evening glow, while numer- 
ous villas studding their sides and summits, smitten by 
the setting sun, were illuminated by harmless conflagra- 
tions. Every moment grew more pensive and solemn 
in the amber hues of declining day ; and the orator, as 
if inspired by the hour, rose to a most exalted strain of 
the moral sublime in picturing the evils which many 
feared and which he came there to deprecate. At that 
moment w^e gazed intently upon his noble form raised 
by popular enthusiasm upon a rustic pyramid in full 
view of enraptured throngs. He bore the aspect of a 
prophet, condensing the utmost measure of solicitude 
and meaning in language prompted by the approach of 
a fearful crisis. The last gleam of day played on his 
brow ; his 'lips quivered and burned with their last elo- 
quent appeal ; he bowed his silent homage to the ex- 
cited thousands ; and repeated shouts, half drowning the 
salvos of cannon, shook the heavens. 



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